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"OUR R'YAL MAJESTY." 



A COMEDY 
IN KIVB ACTS 



A DRAMATIZATION BY 

/ 

JVI/cF^IAJSI f. DEb/cJMOY, 



WITH 
DESCRIPTION OF COSTUMES— SCENERY— CAST OF CHARAC- 
TERS—ENTRANCES—EXITS—AND THE WHOI,E 
OF THE STAGE BUSINESS. 



I 



, f Entered according to Act of Congress, 



BY 

MARIAN F. DEIvANOY, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, 
at Washington, D. C. 



THE DAII,Y ENCINAIv PRINT, AI,AMEDA, CAI,. 



JiU^ i'd^ (r^%- 3^^/^' 



t^' 



L fbrary of Si;. 
Office of th.' 

2 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. %(j9^19' 

^ ^CsT OF CHARACtIi^*^^^' Ca^, . 

MICHAEL OTOOLE, Commander of the Carlist Fortress. 
JOHN RUSSELL. An English tailor of moderate fortune. 
, \<^ALTER ASHBY, An English tourist. 
HARRY RIVERS, A merchant in Spain. 
RALEIGH BROOKE, An American who has come to 

Spain to marry Dolores. ~pc. / -2 \ — 

CAPTAIN LOPEZ, A Spanish Republican. / '^ ^ / 

DON CARLOS, The hope of the Carlists. "^^ Jj ^ T ^ 
MRS. RUSSELL, The tailor's wife. ' '^^ f 

KATIE WESTOLORN, Her niece, engaged to Ashby. 
SYLVIA TALBOT, Who has come to Spain to marry 

Rivers. 
DOLORES GARCIA, A Spanish girl, engaged to Brooke. 
RITA, A peasant cook to the Carlists. 
EXTRAS, Spanish priest, Carlists, Republicans and vSpanish 

porter. er *^o-y a 

5V2V4 



COSTUMES 

O'TooiyE. — Long coat, trousers tucked in top boots, sash 
over shoulder tied at side, sword and belt. 

RussELiy. — First Dress: Plaid English tourist's suit and 
cap. Second: Brilliant officer's uniform, helmet and sword. 
Third: Shawl, skirt and bandana. 

Brooke. — First Dress: Spanish priest's robe and hat, 
breviary, spectacles. Second: American citizen's dress. 

Captain Lopkz. — Spanish officer's uniform. 

Don CarIvOS. — Spanish citizen's dress, sash and orders. 

Cure of Santa Cruz. — Priest's robe, etc. 

Mrs. R. ) 

Katie [■ Handsome traveling dresses. 

SyIvVIA ) 

Rita. — Spanish peasant's dress. 

Doi^ORES. — Spanish lady's dress, mantilla of black lace 
and fan. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 3 

^H^This Play and Title are copyrighted. Managers of theatres, or 
others, infringing on the rights of the^ovvner will be proceeded against 
without further notice. 



OUR R'YAb JVIAJESTY. 

Scene. — A station in Madrid, Spain. Mr. and Mrs. 
Russell and Katie discovered; Porters luheeling luggage; 
Peasants, etc. 

RussEi,!*. {fuming and fretting) Wher he deuce is our 
luggage? I can't make these fool Span ards understand 
me. 

Katie, {aside) I wonder if Mr. Ashby will be here ? 
{looks about) 

RUSSEI<I<. I'll go look for it. Katie, stay by your aunt. 
What the mischief are you looking after ? One of those 
young fools, I suppose. {Russell exit) 
{Efiter Capt. Lopez. Goes to Katie. She turns her back.) 

Lopez, {to Mrs. R.) It gives me much pleasure, Madame 
Russell, to pay my respects and wish you a safe journey. 

Mrs. R. a safe journey ! Is there any daiger. Captain 
Lopez ? {worried) 

Lopez. Well, I don't suppose there is very much danger, 
but these are troublesome times. 

{Enter Ashby. Rushes to Katie) 

Katie. Why! Mr. Ashby ! I've been looking for you. 
I was afraid you wouldn't come. 

Ashby. Katie, my little darling, didn't you know I'd 
come? 

XoPEZ. {to Mrs. R.) I hope to have the lionor to conduct 
you to your car and to say the adios. {glares at Ashby) 

Mrs. R. Thanks, Captain Lopez. I shall feel very much 
obliged, {sharply) Come Katie. 

Katie. Yes Auntie, in a minute. 

Ashby. I'll see Miss Westolorn to the cars. {Ashby and 
Lopez glare at ofte ajtother. 

Mrs. R. {vexed) Katie, I wish you to stay by me. 

Katie. Yes Auntie, of course I shall, {takes Ashby' s 
arm) 



4 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

Mrs. R. Katie ! Katie ! Do you hear me ? 

Lopez, {to Mrs. R.) Madame Russell, command me. 
{eagerly looki7ig at Kate) Shall I help ? 

ASABY. Katie, my darling. I've something to say to 
you — 

Mrs. R. Katie, come here at once. 

Lopez, {to Mrs. R.) Oh ! madam, you know I love the 
miss. Shall I conduct her ? {glares at Ashby) 

Mrs. R. {frightened) Oh ! no-no-Oh ! no. {aside) 
They'll surely quarrel. He's so jealous of Mr. Ashby. 

lyOPEZ. {to Mrs. R.) Madame, pray command me. {eager- 
ly) 

Mrs. R. {to Lopez) I think I shall ask you to conduct 
me to the train, Captain Lopez, {takes hisarin; exit Lopez 
and Mrs. R.) 

Ashby. {to Katie) Katie, I'm going too. 

Katie. Oh! how perfectly lovely. 

Ashby. I'm going with you to Bayonne. 

Katie. Mr. Russell won't let you go in our car. 

Ashby. I'm going in another car ; but see here, take this 
letter, {gives it) I'll see you at Bayonne. You must do as I 
say, my darling, and we'll be married in spite of old Rus- 
sell. 

Katie. Oh look ! Captain Lopez is going into our car ; 
he's going with us. 

Ashby. The infernal sneak ! Why, old Russell hates 
him worse than he does me ; he can't go. 

Mrs. R. {outside) Katie, Katie, I want you to come to 
me. 

.\SHBY. In a moment. 

Katie. I'd better go, she is so awfully horrid. 

Ashby. {takes her in his arms, kisses her) There, good 
bye darling, we'll be married at Bayonne in the morning in 
spite of them. 

{Enter Russell in a fury. Katie throws Ashby a kiss and 
runs) 

RussEiyi.. {in a fury) Look here sir, didn't I tell you — 
I say sir, look here you scoundrel — didn't I tell you sir ! 

Ashby. And look here you, none of this insolence. You 
know very well that Katie is engaged to me and I mean to 
make her my wife. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 5 

RussELiv. Never! You never shall. 

A SHBY. Pooh ! Pooh ! 

Russell. You shall not marry her. Never ! 

ASHBY. {aside) The pigheaded old fool. 

Russell, {aside) I saw that fellow Lopez here ; fine job 
a man has taking care of a girl like Katie, {exit) 

AsHBY. Now he'll have a row with Captain Lopez. 

Russell, {outside to Lopez). What the devil are you do- 
ing here ! Get out ! {screaming) Get out you infernal 
Dago. 

Lopez, {outside) Madame Russell has given me permis- 
sion. 

Russell, {outside) Madame Russell be hanged. Get 
out ! Get out, or I'll kick you out. 

AsHBY. Damn that Spanish devil. 

Lopez, {coming on talking to Russell) Senor, I advise 
you not to try violence. 

Russell, {following) Damn you, get out ! {kicks him) 
Get out I say. 

ASHBY. {aside) Serves him right. 

Lopez, {to Russell) Senor Russell, you have insulted 
me. I am going on the train to Bayonne. 

Russell. Go to thunder, I don't care. 

Lopez. This insult shall be wiped out in blood. I am a 
Spaniard ! We will find a time and a place. 

Russell, {frightened; aside) Oh Lord ! a duel, a duel — 
Oh Lord!! 

Lopez. Senor, I will communicate with you. {exit) 

Russell. A duel ! Oh, I'll be murdered. Oh ! {exit) 
{Enter Rivers; sees Ashby) 

Rivers. Well ! By Jove I Helloo old boy I Ashby ! 
By all that's wonderful. 

Ashby. Rivers ! Harry Rivers ! How are you my boy ? 
Where are you going ? 

Rivers. To Bayonne. 

Ashby. Bayonne ! I'm going to Bayonne too. 

Rivers. Look here, old chap, you look a little down in 
the mouth. No bad luck, I hope. 

Ashby. No ! Oh no. Fact is, I'm meditating matri- 
mony. 



6 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

RiVERvS. Matrimony ! Same fix myself, old boy. 

ASHBY. That so ? 

Rivers. Yes. Do you remember Miss Talbot, Silvia 
Talbot? 

AsHBY. Yes. Well ? 

Rivers. She has come from England ; I'm to meet her 
at Bayonne ; and we are to be married to-mono w. 

AsHBY. That's all right. But mine is a sort of runaway 
match, you see. 

Rivers. By Jove, only think of a fellow like you, plan- 
ning a runaway match, ha! ha! 

AsHBY. I've asked her to clear out and leave her friends, 
and marry me to-morrow. 

Rivers. Where is she now ? 

AsHBY. Here. She is in the train with her aunt. 

Rivers. What is her name ? 

ASHBY. Westolorn, Katie Westolorn. 
^-^IVERS. Never heard of her. 

AsHBY. You see she is an orphan, and her guardian don't 
like me. The beastly old cad, why he's a tailor, only a tail- 
or, just think of that, a tailor and Katie's guardian. 

Rivers. A tailor, eh ! 

ASHBY. Do you suppose I'm going to stand any nonsense 
from a tailor ? 

Rivers. Depends if you owe him much. So you rather 
slighted the guardian, eh ? 

ASHBY. Well, I told him to go to the devil, and the old 
fool took offense. 

Rivers. Odd that, to take offense at such a simple re- 
mark. Well, how are you going to manage it ? 

AsHBY. I'll tell you. I've asked her to meet me at Bay- 
onne. The English chaplain can tie the knot, and then we 
will cut away to England. 

Rivers. How about the lady ? Will she consent ? 

AsHBY. Consent! She'll jump at the chance, you bet. 

Rivers. She must be very fond of you. 

ASHBY. Fond of me ! Why, she is perfectly infatuated 
about me. 

Rivers. I say Ashby, do you know that the Carlists are 
raising the devil up north ? 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 7 

ASHBY. The Carlists ! 

Rivers. I've heard that they held up the train from 
Barcelona this morning. 

AsHBY. Held up the train ? 

Rivers. I'm rather worried about Miss Talbot. 

ASHBV. Well, this is a blooming country Carlists and 
brigands, and Lord knows what else. 

Rivers. Well, I hope we won't be held up. I am aw- 
fully worried about Sylvia. 

Ash BY. Well I must look after my luggage. I'll be back 
soon, {exit) 

Enter porter with truck piled with boxes ^ valises etc. 
Russell miming after. 

Russell, {to porter) Here you — Hi there, that's mine. 
I say {porter goes on) what the deuce are you doing ? 

Porter. Senor? Senor? 

Russell. That's mine I say. {tries to take box, porter 
struggles.) {Russell bawls) That's mine, {makes a grab, tip- 
sets luggage, falls ojt his back, luggage over him.) Thunder 
and guns. You blawsted idiot. 

Rivers. Great Scott ! Its old Russell, used to be my 
tailor. 

Mrs. R. {rushing in) John ! Oh John ! are you hurt. 

Katie, {coming i?i) Oh uncle ! ha, ha, ha, ha ! 

Rivers. Hello Russell, can I give you a lift? {helps him 
up) 

Russell, {panting) Mr. Rivers ! Thanks, these fool 
Dagos — thanks. Oh! I'm nearly killed. (Katie and Mr. R. 
pick up boxes etc.) 

RiVERvS. Where are you going ? 

Russell. To Bayonne. 

Rivers. To Bayonne? So am I. 

Russell. Mr. Rivers, my wife, my niece, Miss Westo- 
lorn. Katie, Mr. Rivers. 

Katie. Mr. Rivers. 

Mrs. R. Mr. Rivers. 

Rivers, {aside) Don't blame Ashby, by Jove. If I 
wasn't engaged to Sylvia Talbot I'd fall in love with her 

yself. 

Russell. I say Rivers, come along in our car. 



8 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

Katie. Yes, Mr. Rivers, do. 

3Irs. R. takes boxes and valise, exit with Russell. 

Rivers. I'll be delrghted. 

Katie. Are you to stay long at Bayonne ? 

Rivers. No, you see I am looking for a friend. 

Katie. Won't I do ; ha, ha. 

Rivers. Ha, ha ! This friend is a lady. 

Katie. Oh, lady love ? ba-ha-ha ! 

Rivers. We are to be married at Bayonne. 

Katie. I'll tell you a secret. I'm to be married at Bay- 
onne too. A secret, mind you. 

Rivers. We'll be friends then. Do you know I think 
you are awfully nice ? 

Katie. Do you ? Well I think you are awfully nice too . 
Enter Ashhy, enter Russell. 

RusSEi^iy. {aside) There's that puppy Ashby again, {calls 
to Katie) Katie, Katie ! 

Katie, {throws a kiss to Ashby) Yes, I'm coming uncle. 

Rivers. We'd better go. 

Exit Russell, Rivers and Kate. 

Ashby. {looking after them) How the dickens did Harry 
get into old Russell's good graces ? {walks up and down) 

Enter Dolores, watches him. 

Ashby. {turns, sees Dolores, stops) By Heaven! Dolores! 
{goes to her) Oh Dolores ! 

Doi^ORES. Oh ! Senor Ashby does not seem quick to 
recognize old friends. 

Ashby. I had no idea that you were here. I thought 
you were at Valencia. Are you alone ? 

Dolores. Yes, from here to Bayonne. And are you on 
your way to England, Senor? 

ashby. No. I'm going to Bayonne. What a lucky 
chance. 

DoivORES. Not altogether chance. 

Ashby. What ? 

Dolores. Why, I saw you. 

Ashby. Saw me ? 

DoivORES. Yes, I was in the station and I've been watch- 
ing you all the time {smiling). Now sir. 

Ashby. You are the same Dolores you were a year ago. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 9 

DoivORES. Always the same — always. And now Senor, 
the beautiful English girl — who is she. 

Ash BY. This — a — ah — lady? 

Dolores. Yes. 

Ash BY. She is a Miss Westolorn. 

Dolores. And she loves you very dearly and tenderly — 
and — and — you — you are to be married to her ? You never 
mentioned her to us at Valencia. 
• ASHBY. No. 

Dolores. And why not? 

Ash BY. I had not seen her then. 

Dolores, {sadly) Ah, and she loves you and — she is to 
be — your wife — the Knglish girl. 

AsHBY. Well — it— it— the fact is — I— I did ask her to be 
my wife. 

Dolores, {eagerly) And she ? 

Ash BY. She — she said she would, I — think, 

Dolores. You think ! 

AsHBY. There's a difficulty. 

Dolores, a difficulty ! 

AsHBY. Yes, her guardian won't consent. 

Dolores, That's nothing — run away with her. 

AsHBY. But there is another objection. 

Dolores. Another objection! What? 

AsHBY. I — I don't want to. 

Dolores. Don't want to ! 

AsHBY. I thought — I loved her, but — but since I've seen 
you again I feel that I — I don't. 

Dolores. Oh Senor Ashby ! 

ASHBY. Oh my littte dark-eyed Dolores. My darling 
Dolores, {tries to kiss her) 

Dolores. Oh don't, you will break my heart, {cries) 

Ashby. Dolores ? 

Dolores. I thought you had forgotten me and — and — 
Mr. Brooke — oh, Mr. Brooke, 

Ashby. Damn Mr. Brooke. Who is Mr. Brooke. 

Dolores, I'm going to Bayonne to marry him. {cries) 

Guards, {outside) All aboard. Train to Bayonne. AH 
aboard. 

Ashby. Come Dolores, the train is going to start, {exit 
both) 

Guards. All aboard for Bayonne. 

Whistles, bells etc. People rush for cars. 



lo OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 



SECOND ACT. 



Scene — A Moorish room in an old Spanish castle, large 
open fireplace of stone or brick; no furniture ; trunks, va- 
lises, etc. Small, low trunk in front of fireplace. 

Russell discovered in despair^ sitting on trunk, Rivers 
standing near. 

RussEi,iy. {frightened) What did — di — di you — you 
think they are going — to do with us ? They let the Span- 
iards all go. 

Rivers. Who? 

Russell. Why these Carlists — who ki — kip — captured, 
us. They let Lopez go. 

Rivers. Carlists ! Well, I don't think they are Carlists. 
They are brigands. Carlists are not robbers. 

Russell. I'm — I'm scared to death, we'll all be ki — 
kik— killed. 

Rivers. Bosh man! They will hold us for ransom, and 
plunder us. That's bad enough though. 

Russell. Did— di — did — you think they'll — gi — go so 
far as to plunder us ? 

Rivers. Haven't a doubt of it. 

Russell. Oh Lord ! This ki — ki — cursed country ! 

Rivers. You haven't carried any great sum of money 
with you — surely? 

Russell. My money is all in bonds. 

Rivers. Bonds!! 

Russell. Yes, coupon bonds. 

Rivers. Coupon bonds !! Whew ! Why man, what in 
Heaven's name are you doing with coupon bonds in this 
country ? 

Russell. They are Spanish bonds. 

Rivers. Whew I How much? 

Russell. All I have in the world. Ten thousand pounds. 

Rivers. Ten thousand pounds!! Good Lord! You'll 
lose it, every cent ! 

Russell. I'll be — bub — be ruined. 'R.Mmt^W {groans) 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. n 

Rivers. You'll be searched, and they'll be taken. I 
hope the ladies are well treated. 

RUSSKLL. I must hide them. 

Rivers. That's about the best thing you can d3, I'm 
worried about the ladies. 

Russell, it Mrs. Russell was here she might sew them 
in my clothes, [gi'oans) 

Rivers. Absurd ! Why those fellows would find them, 
even if you sewed them in your shoe laces. 

Russell. Oh Lord ! Oh Lord !! 

Rivers, {yaivning) Well I think I'll take a little snooze. 
You'd better hide those bonds somewhere in the room, {exit) 

Russell, {looking about) Where the deuce can I hide 
them ? Wonder if I could hide them in the chimney ? {goes 
to fireplace) Great Scott, what a fireplace. Seems to be 
shelves in there, {looks 2i.p) It's pretty dark up there. Don't 
think they'd look up there, {hides bonds) There, that's all I 
can do. {starts) Wha — wha — what's that now. 

'Ri'i.K {enters with note) The chief senda me with lettaire. 

Russell, a letter ! 

Rita. Si Senor, a lettaire. {gives it, exit) 

Russell, {readitig) His Majesty, Don Carlos, will be 
graciously pleased to call on Lord John Russell in a few 
moments, {aloud) Don Carlos ! Then they are Carlists. 
{reads) Lord John Russell {aloud)^ why, they must take me 
for LORD Russell, {smiles) Oh well , very natural, {struts) 
H'm, Lord Russell eh ! Lord Russell. 

O'TooLE. {entering) Me Lord, Our R'yal Majesty is 
plaised to see ye, so we are; we're proud to mate wid the 
loikes of ye bedad. 

Russell. You— you speak English ? 

O'TooLE. A few sintinces, me Lord. 

Russell. Why you speak it first rate. Your Majesty. 

O'TooLE. Av coorse I have a forrin accint. 

Russell, {in embarrassment, aside) How ought I to act) 
I wonder, (falls on knees, kisses O'T's hand.) 

O'TooLE. Rise Me Lord, we're not over-fond of coort 
atykit, though our ancistors were divils of fellers at it. 
Beggorra, what we loike is a good dinner and a dhrap of some- 
thin* warrum to drink. Ye's heard the ould song : {sings) 



12 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

Oh a taste av salt and a plate of praties, 

And a dhrap of whiskey to wash thim down, 

An a tasty duhdeen to aid dagistion. 

That's the fashion in Limerick town, {takes bottle front 
pocket, drinks, offers R.) Drink, Me Lord, to the fairest av 
the fair — I mane the pareless Lady Katie, yer daughter. 

RUSSEI*!,. My ward, Your Majesty. 

O'TooLE. Yer ward is it ! {eagerly) An' is she rich thin ? 

RusSEivL. Well — well, she's worth fifty thousand pounds. 

O'Tooi^E. Fifty thousand pounds !! {aside) Shure I got a 
prize. 

RusSEiyi/. {loftily) Now, I don't call that rich you know. 
Why it's just comfortable, that's all. 

O'Tooi^E. {anxiously) An' what do you call rich. Me 
Lord? 

Russell, {grandly) Oh — oh — well a couple of hundred 
thousand pounds, or so. 

O'TooLE. Thim's me own sintemints, intoirely. 

Russell, {pompously) When I was worth a hundred 
thousand, I thought I was somebody, but I soon learned 
what a paltry sum that was. 

O'TooLE. {aside) I saw by the cut av him, he must be a 
millionaire at laste. 

Russell. Two hundred thousand pounds are necessary 
to make a man rich, not a penny less, not a penny less sir. 

O'TooLE. I shuppose ye have an ixtinsive acquaintance 
wid the continintal nobility ? 

Russell. Of course ! Between you and me though, I 
think they're a beggarly lot. 

O'TooLE. {aside) Shure I've made a big haul this toime. 
I'll make some money out avhim. 

Russell. Why sire, there are lots of respectable English 
merchants, Tailors, for instance, who could buy out these 
Continental Nobles. Out and out. 

O' To OLE. An now Me Lord, we must confide in ye the 
objeck of our r'yal visit, so we must. 

Russell, {aside) Hope I made a good impression. 

O'ToOLE. Me Lord, ye know, no doubt, that we are a 
bachelor, {drijtks from bottle) I say we are a bachelor. 

Russell. Yes, Your Majesty. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 13 

O'ToOLE. Widout love, we won't marry. Where our 
r'yal heart isn't concerned, our r'yal hand don't go {drinks), 
not a bit av it. 

RussEi^i.. [aside) What the deuce does he mean ? 

O'Tooi^E. Now we niver saw the woman we'd be willin 
to raise to the throne av Spain ontil we saw yer ward, the 
charrumin', the bawitchin' Lady Katie. 

RussELi,. {starts) Why — why. 

O'TooivE. Nay Me Lord, start not, we have'nt addressed 
t he Lady Katie on that pint yit. We've acted in accoor- 
dance wid r'yal usage, an' now make a forrumal offer to the 
gyarjean of the lovely being. 

RussELi.. Oh Your Most Royal Majesty, {aside) What 
shall I say ? 

O'TooivE. Will ye give yer consint, Me Lord, and allow 
yer ward to become the Quane of Spai n? 

Russell. Oh Your Most Gracious Majesty, I — I — I — 

O'TooLE. Ye see ye would be father-in-law to the Quane. 
Ye'd be made the Minister of War; je'd be made Juke of 
Gibraltar, or anything ye axed for. Ye'd be Chafe Advisor 
to Our R'yal Majesty, that's me {slaps himself), ye know, 
an av coorse it isn't ivery day ye have a chance loike that, 
bedad. 

Russell. Bu— but ! 

O'TooLE Shure to glory ! I know what ye'r thinkin'. 
It's relageon. That's aisy. Love's stronger than relageon 
any day. {si^igs) 

There was once a Ballyshannon spinster, 

Fell in love wid a prodestan minster. 
But the praste refused to publish the banns. 
So they both run away to the Mussulmans. 

Russell. Oh Your Majesty, if my ward is willing — I — I 
— but — Your Majesty does me great honor. 

O'TooLE. Me Lord, it's yerself does me the honor en- 
toirely. 

Russell. Don't mention it, Your Majesty. 

O'TooLE. Its meself that's bothered about the accommo- 
dations here ye have. It's a cowld damp room, and no 
furniture at all, at all. 

Russell. Well, it is rough on a man who has been used 
to high living. I'm dreadful afraid of rheumatiz. 



14 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

O'TooLK. Don't spake another worrud about it. I'll find 
ye another room where ye '11 be comfortable as the Quane of 
England. 

Russell, {aside) Good lyord ! My bonds ! {aloud) I 
dare say — I — I'll — da — do very well where I am. 

O'TooLS. Do very well is it! What! An' ye wid the 
rheumatiz? Shure to glory, an' ye'll do nothin av the kind. 
I'll get ye a room where ye'll be warrum. 

Russell. Bu— but— I like the— the view— and— and the 
— the ventilation, it's splendid, in fact it's — it's {despei^ately) 
the finest room I ever saw. 

O'TooLE. [aside) Arrah the rogue, he's got somethin' hid 
about, shure. 

Russell. I assure your Royal Majesty it's a noble room, 
a — a — grand room. 

O'TooLE. Oh sure ye'r too modest, so ye are. Lave it 
to me, I'll fix it all fer ye. 

Russell, [aside] Oh! Darnation ! Oh ! Oh ! 

O'TooLE. Its pained I am to throuble ye, but I'm under 
the nasasatude av subjectin' ye to an axamination av yer 
clothes. 

Russell. My clothes ! 

O'TooLE. Yes, to gyard agin anythin' bein consaled 
about ye. 

Russell. But I've nothing concealed. 

O'TooLE. Shure to glory, I'm knowin' ye wouldn't de- 
save Our R'yal Majesty, so I do. It's only a mere forrum, 
Me Lord, an' I've got a foine shuit for ye. 

Russell. I don't see any. 

O'TooLE. They're in the nixt room, and whin ye get 
these off, 1*11 let ye have thim. Ye see ye might have no 
end of valable dockymints stetched in yer clothes. 

Russell. But, Your Royal Majesty, on my honor, I've 
nothing stitched in my clothes. 

O'ToOLE. Shure Me Lord, I wouldn't for the worruld be 
after hintin' that ye ever spake anythin' but the truth. How- 
indiver, I'll tell ye sumthin'. By the marest accident, I was 
standin' by the door, and I heard a confab betwane ye and 
Rivers, and ye know what ye said. Said ye had some Span- 
ish bonds to the chune av tin thousand pounds, an so I'm 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 15 

goin to iiistichute a investigation over yer clothes, an' over 
yer trunks an' over yer room, an' I'm not goin to rist till I 
git thim bonds. Oh ! Ye naden't say nothin'. Now walk in 
there. I'll follow. 

Exit both, enter Rivers, yawning, looks about. 

Rivers. Whew ! Russell gone ? How's this ? They 
must have taken him away. 

Katie appears in fire-place, sees R, screams, runs back. 

Rivers. Why that was Miss Westolorn. {calls) Katie, 
Katie. 

Katie, [coming otit) Sh'h'h, are you alone? 

Rivers. Why Katie ! How in the world did you get 
here? 

Katie. It's a secret passage. I found it. 

Rivers. Secret passage ? 

Katie. We're in the room above. It's just like this one, 
fire-plare and all. I was looking in the chimney andfound 
steps, and thought I'd climb down, and isn't it lovely. I 
didn't expect to see you. 

Rivers. Are you glad to see me ? 

Katie. Awfully! Auntie's up there, and a youngSpanish 
girl, Dolores. They are asleep. 

Rivers. Are you frightened, Katie ? 

Katie. Frightened ? Ha, ha, ha ! Why I've been hav- 
ing the greatest fun. 

Rivers. Fun ! Fun ! 

Katie. And I'm just bursting to tell some one. That's 
you, you know. 

Rivers. I don't see any fun — 

Katie. Oh it's that absurd old Paddy king— Don Car- 
los, he calls himself. 

Rivers. Paddy king ? 

Katie. Ha-ha-ha! Oh he's so utterly ridiculous, and the 
best fun of all is, he's in love with me — you know. 

Rivers. In love with you ? 

Katie. Of course! Why not? 

Rivers. The infernal cad ! Damn him ! What does he 
mean ? I'll break his neck. 

Katie. Oh I what naughty language. 

Rivers. What does the fellow mean ? 



i6 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

KaTik. Mean ? Why he means to try to marry me, and 
make me Queen of Spain . Ha-ha -ha ! He's so funny. 

Rivers. Oh Katie, how can you laugh ? Don't you know 
this is awful, awful ? 

Katie. Why what do you mean , you silly boy ? Ha-ha ! I 
dote on adventures like this. 

RiVKRS. We don't know into whose hands we have 
fallen, and you are so much in their power. Oh ! we must 
fly, we must find some way to escape. I'll hunt along the 
passage to-night. 

Katie. But then you'll be going oflf and leaving poor 
me behind. 

Rivers. Leave you ! Never ! 

Katie, {delighted) Wouldn't you, really? 

Rivers. Never. I wouldn't go a step without you. I'd 
rather be a prisoner with you, than be a free man without 
you. 

Katie. Sure and honest now, cross your heart to die ? 

Rivers. Oh Katie, I'd rather be here with you, than 
anywhere else in the world without you. 

Katie. Oh Harry! What would Mr. Ashby say to me 
— if — if — He thinks the world of me. 

Rivers. Oh bother Mr. Ashby — there, keep your shawl 
around you {places shawl) ^ there. I'm afraid you'll get cold 
— poor little girl. There — there. 

Katie, {sighhig) You're awfully kind tome, Harry. 

Rivers. Its because I'm so fond of— of the shawl. I 
love to arrange it for you. I'd like to take it away with me 

Katie. Would you really? 

Rivers. Above all things— but one. 

Katie. What's that ? 

Rivers. Why of course I'd rather take what's inside the 
shawl. 

Katie. Well I'm sure what's inside the shawl would like 
to go. 

Rivers. My little sweetheart, {kisses her) 

Katie. Oh Harry — I love you so — 

Rivers Hush ! Some one is coming. 

Katie runs to fire-place, starts back, screaming . 

Katie. Some one is in there. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 17 

Dolores, [from fire-place) Katie ! Katie ! 

Katie. Why! It's our dear darling Dolores. 

Dolores, {coming out) Why Katie, how you frightened 
me. See (/z^/^/i ///> <^C'«fl'^) what I found there. Some papers. 

Rivers. By Jove, it's old Russell's bonds. 

Katie, {to Dolores) Is Auntie awake ? 

Dolores. No, she's sound asleep, and {laughing) snor- 
ing too. 

Katie. If she should wake and miss us, she'd be awfully 
scared. 

Rivers, {aside) Plague take that Spanish girl coming 
down here. 

Dolores, {to Katie) You take the bonds. 

Katie. Where could I put them, I've no pocket in this 
dress. You put them under your jacket. 

Rivers. That's the best thing. Take them up stairs and 
hide them. 

Katie. Poor Uncle, he'd die if he lost those bonds. I 
wonder where he is. Poor old Uncle, he's always in trouble. 

Rivers. He was here a few minutes ago. I went to sleep 
and when I woke he was gone. 

Dolores, {aside) I hope Katie won't find Mr. Ashby. 
He's on the floor above us. I've seen him and he promised 
to meet me in the fire-place to-night. 

Rivers, [whispering to Katie) I'll see you to-night. I'll 
come up. 

Katie, {to Rivers) You dear boy. 

Dolores, {aside) I'll not tell Katie where the secret 
passage goes. 

Katie. Listen ! 

O' Toole singing outside. 

Dolores. Sh'h'h. 

Rivers. Run — run. 
Screams from girls, both exit. 

O'TooLE. {Enters with RusseWs clothes on arm, looks 
around) Howly Mowses, an' what the divil is all the noise 
about ? Sure I thought I heard faymale voices, so I did. 

Rivers. Voices! Where? Voices? Rats! 

O'TooLE. Sure thin it's the rats, that's just what it is 
I'll send in a trap. 



i8 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

Rivers. Sir, will you be so kind as to tell me why we 
are held here ? 

O'TooLE. Well ye see, we must be havin' money to carry 
on the war, an' its meself that's pained to be after holdin' 
ye for taxes. I hope we'll come to terrums. 

RivKRS. I suppose that means we're to be held for ran- 
som. 

O'Toor^E. Begorra, ye've hit it. 

Rivers. How much will it be ? 

O'Tooi^E. I'll not be expectin' much from you, but be- 
dad, Ivord Russell will be after payin' a hundred thousand 
pounds, so he will, an' be gettin' oif aisy at that. 

Rivers. Lord Russell ! 

O'TooLE. Shure, Lord Russell. 

Rivers. Lord Russell ! Why he is not a Lord. He's a 
tailor. John Russell, tailor, of Manchester, England. 

O'TooivE. A tailor ! A tailor is it. The spalpeen, to be 
a desavin' av us. I'll be avin wid him yit, so I will. 

Enters Russell in fine uniform^ hat, and sword. 

Rivers. Great guns ! If it isn't Russell. 

O'Tooi^E. Be the powers, ye ought to be grateful to Our 
R'yal Majesty for makin' ye put on thim clothes. 

Rivers, [aside) That's the king, is it ? 

O'Tooi^E. {to Russell) Ye look like a commander-in-chafe^ 
Ye look like the Juke of Wellington, hisself. 

Rivers, {aside) Spanish kings must be rum sort of fellows 
if he's a specimen. 

0'Tooi.E. {points with thumb at clothes on arm) Shure, 
it's a long job I'll be bavin' wid these clothes. 

RUSSELI,. How so ? 

O'Tooi^E. Shure, it*s the axaminiu' I've got to do. When 
I git through wid them clothes, it'll take a professional 
tailor {looks hard at Russell) ^ wid a crayative j anions to put 
that same togedder agin. An' that's no loie I'm tellin'. 

RusSEi*i«. What will I wear when I go away ? 

0'Tooi,E. Thim clothes belonged to a gintleman what 
stopped here a month agone. He wint away in another 
shuit, and left these bahint, as ye'll be lavin' yours, an' 
wear these an' take Our R'yal blessin' wid yez. 

Rivers, {aside) I suppose I'm in for it next. 



OUR R'YAL A'lAJESTY. iq 

O'TooLE An' now, Mr. Rivers, if ye plase. 

Rivers, {aside) What ever will become of us? 
O'TooLE. Ye'U walk along if ye plase sir. {exit Rivers 
and O' Toole) 

RussEiyi,. {admiring self, struts) I've made many a fine 
uniform, but never a finer one than this. I must look mighty 
handsome. H'm, Lord Russell, Ah. 

Rita, {enters with spring trap, admires R.) Oh beauti- 
ful — lovela — gran' prince. 

R.USSELI<. {turns, sees Rita, aside) How she does admire 
me. She's deuced pretty. 

Rita. The chief senda me bring trap, rata trap, see? I 
fixa him in cheemny {puts trap in fire-place), I thinka. 
There ! 

Russell. So you speak English, my dear? 

Rita. Oh yes, me been Cuba, speek Englees vera mooch. 

Russell. Cuba ! Well Cuba is a very pretty country, 
and you are a very pretty woman, my dear. 

Rita. Senor mus' be a gran' noblea generala. 

Russell I'm Lord Russell. Lord Russell. What's your 
name, my dear ? 

Rita, {courtseys) Senor, I'm Rita. 

Russell. Well Rita, I dare say we'll be great friends. 

Rita. Oh friends ! Senor is too much magnifico {admires 
him) fora me. 

Russell. Oh I ain't! proud, 'my dear, not a bit — not a 
mite. I'm a Lord you know, but I ain't proud. Are you 
housekeeper? 

Rita. Senor, I am cook — to servar, an' attendar. Maka 
tamales, an' things. 

Russell. Poor thing, how she does admire me. {aside, 
suddenly) Perhaps I could bribe her to help me to escape. 
{to Rita) So you are cook here, my dear ? 

Rita. Si, Senor. {courtesy) I cook. 

Russell. It isn't good enough for]such a pretty woman 
as you, my dear. 

Rita. Oh Senor ! Youa flattera. 

Russell. But you ought to be something far better. 
How would you like to — like — 

Rita, {excitedly) Like what, Senor? 



20 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

RussEr^L. Well— lots of money, fine clothes, jewels, and i 
such things ? 

Rita. Oh Seno'r ' It's impossible. 

RussEivi/. Rita, my dear, listen to me ? 

Rita. Yes Senor. 

RusSEi^L. Look at me. 

Rita. I look you, Senor. 

RusSEivi/. I'm a prisoner in grief, in despair. Now if any- 
one would help me, I could do very much for that person. 

Rita. An' you are a gran' noble ? 

RussEi.1.. I'm a great lord, and what's more {taking her 
hand\ I could make you happy all your life. I swear, I 
never saw such a pretty woman. 

Rita, {aside) He admira me. 

RussEiyiv. If you will fly with me, there is nothing in the 
world I wouldn't do for you. 

Rita, {aside) He wanta fly me. 

RusSEi^r.. The moment I saw you, I said to myself: 
" There's the woman for you." 

R ITA. {delighted) And am I really the woman for you ? 

RussEi/i,. The very one. Heaven has sent you to me. 
{earnestly) Oh Rita, my dear, do what I ask? 

Rita. Oh Senor ! You not true, you not earnest. 

Russell, {distressed) Oh Rita, help me to fly. Oh Rita, . 
can't you trust me ? 

Rita. Oh Senor, you tempta me too easy. Thinka the 
danger, if we captura, the death ma' come. 

Russell. Don't talk of danger, let us fly. I'll always 
remember your devotion and if you want some one who will 
always take care of you, why I'm {slapping over his heart) 
your man. 

Rita, {clasping hands^ Oh Senor, will you be my man ? 

Russell. Of course IJwill. {aside) She'll help me. 

Rita, {flings arms about Russell) Oh then I helpa — I 
do all — you be true to Rita. 

Russell. U'm U'm. {aside) The devil ! 

Rita. I mus' go now, I soon return, {exit Rita) 

Russell. Well ! Well, perhaps I'm in luck after all. I'll 
just look after those bonds now. {goes to fire-place) Heavens 
and earth ! They're gone ! Gone ! Where the devil could 
they have gone ? {drops hat in fire-place) 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 21 

Enter Rita, with skirt, bright shawl and large bandana. 

Rita, {kissing Russell) Now you mus' disguisar, my 
dear. This is a woman's dress, {aside) I be a gran' lady 
now. 

Russell. Eh ! Ah ! U'm ! A woman's dress ? 

Rita. Alaright, you puta on over all just you stands, 
there {puts skirt on him) there, {pufs bandana on Russell) 
there {piUs shxiul on Russell). You all disguisar now, com- 
ma long me. I geta key. 

Russell. Bu — but — but — 

Rita, Comma long queek ! 

Russell, {aside) My bu — bub — bonds. 

Rita. Queek ! -We be disco vera. 

Russell. Listen ! I'll lose my b— bonds. 

Rita, {pulling him) Queek ! Queek ! {exit both) 

O 'Toole, {enters, looks about) An' now where is that 
tailor lord ? Shure he must, be iu the nixt room, {looks in) 
Divil a bit av him {looks about), the rogue. He's hid in the 
trunk, {opetis it, looks in, leaves it open) Be the powers, he's 
gone, {sees hat) There's his hat. {goes to pick it up, steps 
on trap) Ow ! Ouch ! It's the trap, ow — ow— wo. {falls back 
and into trunk) 

Curtain. 



THIRD ACT. 

Scene — Same room, rough bench, three rough couches, 
blankets, rough table, lighted candles. Mrs. R., Katie and 
Dolores discovered. 

Mrs. R. I don't understand how it is that you two can 
keep up your spirits so, in this ogre's castle. I'm certain 
that something dreadful is going to happen. 

Katie. Oh Auntie, you shouldn't be always looking on 
the dark side of things. 

Mrs. R. I should like to know what other side there is 
to look on, except the dark one. For my part, I think it 
best to always prepare for the worst, for then when it comes 
one is not so utterly overwhelmed by it. 

Katie, Yes, but suppose it doesn't come? Why then, 



22 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

don't you see Auntie, you will have had all your worry for 
nothing ? 

Mrs. R. Oh it's all very well for one like you. You are 
like a kitten, and turn everything to mirth and play. 

Katie. Well here is our dear Dolores. I^ook at her, she 
doesn't mope. 

DoivORES. Oh no, I do not mope. I see no cause to mope. 

Mrs. R. But you are a prisoner as much as I am. 

Dolores. Yes, but this is a country that I am acquainted 
with. I know these parts well. 

Mrs. R. Have you ever been here before ? . 

D01.ORES. Yes. It was my home when I was a child. 
{sighs) 
y^- Katie. Oh Dolores ! Did you live here ? Really? Well, 
now do you know I call that awfully funny ? 

Doi^ORES. My father lived here in this castle. 

Katie, In this castle ! 

D01.ORES. Yes, in this castle. My father had great flocks 
of merino sheep in the pastures. Twenty thousand sheep. 
He had many shepherds to look after the flocks, and he 
was away most of the time looking after the shepherds. My 
mother and I, and the domestics, all lived here, so it seems 
like home. 

Mrs. R. That must have been long ago. 

DoiyORES. Oh yes, long ago. I was a little child, {dream- 
ily) Yes, long ago — long ago. {to Katie) Then my father 
went to Cub^. 

Mrs. R. Cuba ! What, have you been there? 

Doi^ORES. Oh many, many years, 

Katie. Across the Atlantic, far away in Cuba ? 

Dolores. Far. far away, {plaintively) Far away, oh 
many, many years, and there my father had plantations , 
and was rich, but the insurrections broke out, {sighs) a.ndi he 
was killed, {weeps) 

Katie, {putting arms about Dolores, wipiitg her own eyes) 
Oh how sad. I had no idea. 

DoivORES. {drawing a long breath) Yes he died, the good, 
tender father, and my mother and I were left — all — all — 
alone — in the cruel world. The rebels came, and the soldiers. 
Oh how they did fight. The slaves all ran away — all — all — 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 23 

all ran away. The trees and fruit — all were destroyed. The 
houses all were burned in a great conflagration, and it was a 
kind good American, Brooke, Mr. Raleigh Brooke, who 
h^lped-us to fly, or we would not now be alive, {sighs) So we 
came back to our own country, poor — very poor. We lived 
in Valencia. I told you that I was living in Valencia when 
I left on this journey. 

Katie. I suppose since you lived here in this castle you 
must know all about it. 

Dor^ORES. Yes, all — all about it. 

Mrs. R. You must have been all over it in every di. 
rection. 

DoivORES. Oh yes, all over it, in every place, in every 
part, thousands and thousands of times. 

Mrs. R. It's such a strange old castle. 

Katie. Like the ones you read about in old romances. 

Dolores. Like the Gothic feudal castles, like the castle 
ot the Cid. You go up the towers, into the turrets, and you 
walk over the top, past the battlements, and look down — 
down — deep down into the courts, and you dream, dream, 
and dream. When I was a little child, I did nothing but 
wander about, and dream and dream, and get lost, {dream- 
ily) Oh, I could tell you a thousand things, {pauses) Oh I 
could talk all night of the bright, bright times, when my 
dear father was a noble — so rich— living in his castle. 

Mrs. R. Did you get lost ! 

Katie. Where did you get lost ? 

Dolores. Oh ev|rywliere ! There are halls that open 
into galleries ; galleries that open into rooms ; rooms that 
open into closets ; closets that open into other rooms, that 
open into halls. Oh it was grand, {sighs) 

Katib. More, tell us more. 

Dolores. There were grand apartments of state, state 
bedrooms, rooms for guests, and below, rooms for outer 
servitors, and then far down — far — far — deep underground 
there are dungeons, fearful — fearful places, with darkness 
and rats — full of rats — awful. 

Katie. Did you go through the vaults? 

Dolores. Yes, oh yes — all — every single one. There 
was an ancient servitor, a venerable man, who showed me 
all the mysteries — the secret — 



24 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

KaTiej. {aside to Dolores) Don't tell Auntie about tlie 
chimney. 

Dolores. Places, until I know this castle, that was 

once so grand and beautiful, as well as I know my own 
room — but now — it's only a fortress, {sighs) 

Kati:^. I wish you could take me over it. Wouldn't it 
be lovely. 

Mrs. R. {fixing her false fi^07tt) Oh dear ! Oh dear me! 
His Majesty is coming to pay us a visit. He'll soon be here. 
Oh my dresses — and — toilet articles. I can't even get my — 
my powder. Oh dear ! Oh dear me ! Oh dear! 

Katik. It's useless. Auntie, to think of that. You are a 
prisoner, and no one knows that better than he. 

Doi^ORKS. He's coming. 

Mrs. R. {primping) Oh dear, oh dear. 

O'TooiyE. {entering, grand bow) We have called, ladies, 
to wish ye good avenin' an' to ax after yer healths. 

Mrs. R. Oh, Your Majesty is so good. 

Doi^ORES. Your Majesty is most kind. 

Katie. Ha-ha. So thoughtful, ha-ha. 

O'Tooi^E, Be sated ladies, be sated. It's our R'yal will, 
so it is. {sits on bench, ladies sit on couches, girls together, 
Mrs. R. alone) On sich occasions as this, we love to dhrap 
all coort ettykit an' lave behind all our barrings, an' nobles^ 
an' body gyards, and thim fellers, an' come iu>an' have a 
chat loike a private gintleman. 

Mrs. R. Your Majesty is most gracious. 

DoiyORES. Very gracious, indeed. 

O'Tooi/E. We are that, bedad. An' sure it's meself is the 
proud man to find yez can put a thrue interpitation on Our 
R'yal Majesty. 

Mrs. R. Ah Sire, you honor us. 

O'Tooi^E. Aflfairs av state doesn't allow us to' give full 
play to that jay vinal timperment that's our chafe and lay- 
din' fayture. It's war times now, an' our R'yal mind has to 
be harsh and oystare, and now ladies and madam {looks at 
Mrs. Russell) we hope ye won't be allarrumed at what we're 
a goin' to say nixt. 

Mrs. R. Oh ! Your Majesty — alarmed ! Alarmed ! 
{frightened) 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 25 

O'ToOLE. Ye see, our Prime Minister has conveyed to 
our r'yal ear charges aginst your worthy husband av traisonal 
natchoor. {all frightened) 

Mrs. R. My husband! What? My John, Oh! Oh I 
What has — has — he done ? 

O'TooivE. I'm towld that he's been passin' hisself oflf as 
Lord John Russell, an' as spicial ambassoder from our r'yal 
cousin , Quane Victoria. 

Mrs. R. Oh dear ! Oh dear ! 

O'ToOLE. At that toime he wint an' took unjew advan- 
tage av our confidence to desave our r'yal moind. 

Katie. Oh, poor Uncle. 

Mrs. R. Oh, Your Royal Majesty, he isn't quite a lord 
— but — but — he's a gentleman. 

O'TooLE. Shure to glory, don't I know it, he's a gintle- 
man. He's a foine gintlemen, ivery inch av him. Allow 
me to ax, madam, why did he pass hisself off as a lord ? 

Mrs. R. Oh ! Your Majesty, I don't know, (cries) I — I 
don't know. 

O'TooLE. An' is he a tailor thin ? 

Mrs. R. Oh, Your Majesty, he isn't a common tailor. 
He's a Merchant Tailor and a man of wealth. 

O'TooLE. I knowed it was just that. It makes all the 
differ in the worruld, whither a man's only a tailor wid a 
small t, or a merchant-tailor wid capital letters. But come 
jool, come over here and sit by our r'yal side, {slides along 
on bench, it tips up and he slides off on his back. Mrs. R. 
horrified, Dolores laughs, Katie laughs immoderately, 
O' Toole looks surprised and then laughs boisterously, gets 
up) Be the powers, whin the king loses his gravity, it's 
high toime for ivery one else to lose his too. {to Mrs. R.) 
But come along jool, sit by our r'yal side an' tell us all about 
it. 

Mrs. R. {goes over) We keep our own carriage, and have 
our own coat-of-arms — the Russell arms, you know, the same 
as the Duke of Bedford. 

O'TooLE. Dade ! An' so ye have the Russell arrunis. 
I'm a conniction av His Grace, the Juke av Bidford, in a 
distant way an' so ye must be a conniction of mine in a dis- 
tant way, bein' a mimber av the house av Russell. 



26 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

Mrs. R. Oh, Sire, {pleased) Oh yes ! May it please Your 
Most Royal Majesty ? 

O'TooLE. Shure, we r'yal persons always acknowledge 
our cousins. Ye 're a cousin av ours, so ye are. 

Mrs. R. {flatter ed) I — I dare — say I — am — oh yes, Your 
Majesty. 

O'TooLK. Ye're a distan' cousin, it's thrue, but degrays 
don't count wid us; wansta cousin, always a cousin. 

Mrs. R. Oh Your Most Royal Majesty. 

O'TooLE. We niver knowed ye were a cousin before, or 
we'd saluted ye in our r'yal fashion. It's our way to ac- 
knowledge relashuns wid the r'yal kiss. We call it the kiss 
av state. Allow me, cousin, {puts his arms about Mrs. R. 
gives her a sounding smack. Dolores smiles, Katie laughs 
heartily. Mrs. R. shocked at Katie, O'' Toole drops Mrs. R. 
looks sternly at girls. 

Katie. Oh, ha ! ha ! Your Majesty is so funny. 

Doi/ORES. {to O'T.) Are all crowned heads like you? 

O'Tooi^E. All av thim, ivery mother's son av thim, but, 
moind this, it's meself that bates the whole lot av thim, out 
an' out. {takes bottle out of pocket, waves it and sings) 

Old Blue-beard was a warrior bold. 

He kept his wives in a great strong hold. 

One, two, three, four, five, six, sevei]^ 

They all of thim died and wint to Heaven. 

Old B. fell into a dishmal state. 

So he wint and married nomber eight. 
{becoming grave again) Ye see, Mr. Russell has committed 
an ofi&nce agin' our r'yal prarogatives, and avin his bein' our 
cousin doesn't help him, so it don't. 

Mrs. R. Oh my poor, poor John. 

0'Tooi.E, An' bejabbers there's a coort martial a settin' 
at this blessed moment. 

Mrs. R. {terrified) Oh ! Oh ! They're not sitting on my 
poor John. Oh ! {cries) 

O'TooLE. Divil a wan else, me darlint. 

Mrs. R. Oh Sire, spare him. Oh ! 

O'TooivE. Dearest cousin, ye ax impossibilities, {takes 
her hand) It's meself as has a tinder heart that feels for the 
fatherless and the widdyless. 

Mrs. R. {sobbing) A widow, oh, oh. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 27 

O'TooLE. {holding her ha?id) Parmit me to laymint that 
we hadn't met ye afore the — that is, afore John Russell ob- 
tained this fair hand. 

Mrs. R. .Oh ! My poor lost Johnnie. 

O'TooLE. {holding Mrs. R's hand, looking at Katie. Mrs, 
R'sface covered with handkerchief, to Katie') Me darlint, 
we've somethin' to tell ye. Listen to me now, ye — ye see — 
we are a bachelor — ah'm, we say we are a bachelor. 

Katie. How sad, ha-ha-ha ! 

Doi<ORES. Why has Your Majesty never married ? 

O'TooLE. We've been look in' all around for ages for a 
pardner, a r'yal consort. All the illegible faymale princis- 
ses, av all the coorts av Europe, have been a solicitin' av our 
alliance, but none of thim were shuitable. No ! Divil a wan 
av thim. 

Katie, {to Dolores) Oh dear, he's making love to me. 
Ha ! ha ! I'll have a fit. 

Dolores. Keep still, you'll have me on the floor in a 
minute. 

Katie. I can't help it. Ha-ha ! 

Mrs. R. Katie, I don't see what there is to laugh at. 
Keep quiet. 

G'Tooi^E. We are a bachelor. 

Dolores. Poor fellow, {aside) 

O'TooLE Our r'yal heart an' r'yal hand, an' all the 
r'yal power, an' glory, an' all the r'yal regaliar, an' the 
crown and throne av Spain, bejabbers, they're alia goin' 
beggin' in this room, and there's one here as cud have it all 
wid the wink av one av her eyes. 

'M'RS. K. {aside) He'mustmean me. {covers her face again) 

Katie, {to Dolores) I'll surely die, he's looking at me. 
{hides her face on Dolores'' shoulder) Ha-ha-ha ! 

Dolores. Katie, you'll have me over on the floor, {smiles) 

O'ToohU. {to Katie) Ye know I'm not only king av 
Spain, but I'm heir to the crown of France, so I am. 

Dolores. Isit -possible ? {stniles) 

O'TooLE. Divil of a loie I'm tellin'. It's thrue, I'm nixt 
av kin to Chaniford, ye know. The Count av Paris is Or- 
leans, not Bourbon. I'm BOURBON begorra {slaps himself) 

Dolores, {to Katie) It smells like rum. {both laugh) 



28 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

O'TooirE. Whin the nixt revolution takes place in France, 
I'll march on Paris an' give pace to that, unhappy country, 
an' bejabbers, I'll take me wife wid me, an' I'll buy her the 
most illigant dresses an' coort coschumes, an' bonnets, an' 
jools an' jims, that ever a woman wore, an' all thim forin 
princisses ud be so green wid invy, their complixions ud be 
spiled intirely. 

Mrs. R. {aside) I'll be Queen of Spain. 

Katie, [aside) I'll surely die. Ha-ha ! 

O'TooLE. {holding disengaged hand to Katie) What say 
ye, me fair one ? 

Mrs. R. {aside) Shall I dash down the crown of Spain 
to mourn for my lost one ? 

O'TooivE. {to Katie) What say ye, me love? 

Mrs. R. {uncovering face, flings arms about O' Toole) Oh 
I cannot, cannot refuse. 

O'TooLE. {to Mrs. R.) Then ye' 11 give us yer consint, 
jool? 

Katie, {to Dolores) Auntie's gone crazy. 

Mrs. R. Oh Your Majesty — yes — oh yes, (sobs) yes. 

0'Tooi.E. Well ! We must be a goin' now. We'll have 
it all arranged to-night, {both rise) 

Mrs R. Oh, I'm ready. Why not now, Your Majesty. 

O'TooiyE. Whist! Ye '11 be spoilin' it all, so ye will. 
{whispers) I'll wait till the gyrruls are aslape, thin I'll luck 

in. 

Mrs. R. Oh I'll never forget ! Never ! {kisses him) 

0'Tooi,E. {aside) Won't she be makin* us a foine mother- 
in-law? {exit) 

Katie. Oh Auntie, oh Auntie. Ha-ha ' 

Mrs. R. Katie ! Katie, I wish you wouldn't call me 
Auntie any more. It's so undignified. 

Katie. Why what should I call you ? 

Mrs. R. Well you might call me — call me — Madame — or 
— or — well you might call me Your Majesty — you might as 
well get used to it. 

Katie. Ha-ha-ha — 

Mrs. R. Katie ! Katie ! 

Katie. Oh ha-ha — Your Majesty, oh ha-ha — oh Auntie. 

Mrs. R. I'm perfectly shocked at the way you've be- 
haved. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 2q 

KaTie. {to Dolores) Do you think he really is Don 
Carlos ! 

Dolores. Well, I don't know. 

Katie. He's awfully funny. 

Dolores. I'm awfully sleepy. 

Katie. So am I. {fixes couch) 

Mrs. R. {fixing couch) I think we had better try to get 
a little sleep, {puts out light) 

DohORES. {aside , fixing couch) Mr. Ashby said he would 
come down when the others were asleep, {doth girls lie down) 

Mrs. R. {aside, lying down) His Majesty said he would 
look in when the girls were asleep. 

Katie, {aside) Harry said he'd come up when the others 
were asleep, {pause) 

Enter Ashby in fire-place with lighted candle, quickly 
puts it out. 

Ashby. Dolores Do — lo — res — 

Dolores, (r/jm^) I'm here, sh'h'h ! I'm here. Sh'h'h! 

Ashby. Are they asleep ? * 

Dolores. Yes. Sh'h'h, I'm coming. 

Ashby. {kisses her) Oh my darling — Dolores. 

Dolores. Oh Senor Ashby, you are false to your Eng- 
lish bride. 

Ashby. English grandmother! What is she; a doll, a 
kitten. You are the only one I love, Dolores. 

Dolores. Me, not the English maid ? 

Ashby. My dark-eyed Dolores. Katie has no soul in her 
eyes. 

Dolores. And who has soul in her eyes ? 

Ashby. Who ? Why you ! Your eyes are soul lit and 
pierce my very heart. 

Dolores. And won't you say all that again ? I love to 
hear you call the English girl names. 

Ashby. {listening) Sh'h'h !— Sh'h'h ! 

■Dolores. Come into the corner, {^noves into corner 
with Ashby) 

Katie, {aside, sitting up) What's that? 

Ashby. Sh'h'h. 

Dolores. Sh'h'h. 

Enter Harry in fire-place with lighted candle, puts it out. 



30 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

RivKRS. Katie ! {comes into room) Katie ! 

JLh.rin. {aside) It's Harry. 

Mrs. R. {aside) It's his Majesty. 

RivKRS. Are they all asleep? 

Mrs. R. {jumping np, throws arw,s about Harry) Oh, 
Your Most Sacred Majesty. 

KaTie). {aside) Oh Auntie's got Harry. Oh, oh ! 

O'TooLK. {enters) An' are ye awake. Shure, I hope the 
gyrruls are aslape. 

ASHBY. Dolores, there's some one moving. 

Dolores. Sh'h'h ! 

Mrs. R. lets go of Harry and screams. 

O'Tooi^K. Whist — st — st, ye'll wake the gyrruls. 

KaTik. {runs to Harry) We're lost ! Fly Harry, fly ! 

D01.ORKS. Senor, run ! Oh run Walter, run ! 

Mrs. R. Weren't you — you — here—just now? 

O'Tooi^K. Divil a bit av us, we've just come. 

Mrs. R, Bu — ^but — some — some one was close to me. 

O'Tooi^e;. Wan of the gyrruls ? 

Mrs. R. No ! It — it — was a — a — ^man ! 

Katie. Fly, some one is in the room ! Oh, oh ! 

Dolores. Run, some one is in the room ! Oh, oh ! 

Rivers runs into the fire-place. 

Mrs. R. Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! 

O'TooivE. It's the gyrruls, so it is, {throws quick light 
on Ashby as he runs to fire-place) 

Mrs. R. {screams) Oh look ! lyook ! Oh ! Oh ! 

O'TooLE. Be jabbers, the castle's haunted, sure as a gun. 
The Saints prasarve us ! ! 

Mrs. R. Oh a ghost — a — a ghost ! 

O'TooivE. That warrent the figger an' form av a mada- 
vial ghost. I'm goin' to investigate. 

Mrs. R. {fiingi^ig arms ahout VT.) Oh, Your Majesty, 
don't leave me ! Don't, oh don't ! Oh ! 

Katie and Dolores scream. 

O'TooLE. {struggling) Let go av us, jool. 

Mrs. R. {clinging) Oh leave me not, oh be not — so — so 
— cruel ! 

O'TooLE. {struggling , vexed) Cruel is it. Oh, be off 
wid yer nonsince . 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 31 

M-RS. R. {sir j/g-o^/tJi^) Oh, it's — too— too horrible. Oh! 
Oh ! 

A'aiie and Do/ores cling together a7id scream. 

O'ToOLE. {struggling) Shure, ain't I tellin' ye it's goin' 
to get lights, I am. [breaks away, exit) 

Katie. What's the matter ? [screams) 

Dolores. What's the matter ? [screams) 

Mrs. R. Oh, why did he — he leave me — why, why, did 
he leave me ? 

Katie. What's the matter ? [screams) Oh ! Oh ! 

Dolores. What's the matter ? [screams) Oh ! Oh ! 

O'TooLE. [enters with torch) Now ladies, jools, don't 
give way. 

Katie. Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! 

Dolores. Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! 

O'TooLE. Shmre ye naden't be afraid at all — at all. 

Mrs. R. Some one was in the room. Oh ! Oh ! 

O'TooLE., Alarums av this sort isn't shuted to thim day- 
licate uarvous systems, so they isn't. I've got a dhrap of 
whiskey if — if — [takes bottle from pocket, offers it, all turn 
away) Shure it's very distressin'. I'll look around, {looks 
about) 

Mrs. R. I saw a — a man. There was a man. 

O'TooLE. Begorra, there's no one here ! 

Mrs. R. But — bu— but — I — saw a — a — he — he — ki — ki — 
kissed me, oh !! 

Katie, {aside) She don't know it was Harry. 

O'ToOLE. The divil ye say. Shure it isn't meself as is a 
blamin' av 'im begorra. 

Mrs. R. Oh it was, it was. Oh ! 

O'TooLE. {looking about) Shure thin, it's no livin' man 
ye saw, an' there ye have it. 

Mrs. R. Then it was a ghost. Oh ! Oh ! 

O'ToOLE. {looking about) Divil a one else, only I don't 
see why he came in modern coschume. It must a been the 
last prisoner as was shot. 

Mrs. R. Oh, horrors! My John! It was my husband. 
[screams, faints, 0' Toole catches her) 
Curtain. 



32 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 



FOURTH ACT— First Scene. 

Scene— A country road in Spain , a log or rock by wayside. 

SviyViA. {e7iters timidly, looks about) Oh Heavens! 
What will become of me ? All night I've wandered along 
the road, weak and faint. Oh Harry ! Harry ! You'll never 
find me now, and we were to have been married to-day. I'm 
lost — lost. 

Brooke, whistling Yankee Doodle, off. 

Syj^via.. {starts, looks off) Who — what's that? A priest! 
Oh thank God ! He will help me. 

Brooke, {enter in priest's dress, keeping step) 

Syi^via. {rushes to him, hands clasped) Oh! Padre! 
Padre ! Pour I'amour de Dios, succor me ! 

Brooke, {looks at her, aside) What the dickens did she 
say ? {to Sylvia) Parlez vous Francaise, M'll'e ? 

Sylvia shakes head. 

Brooke. E — ella Italianna ? 

Sylvia shakes head. 

Brooke. Sind sie Deutsche, Fraulein ? 

Sylvia, {shakes head) English ! Padre, English ! 

Brooke. Whew ! English ! Christopher Columbus ! 
English ! Then in future be kind enough to speak English, 
Your Spanish — is — is declined with thanks. 

Sylvia, {joyfully) English, and are you then really — 
really an Englishman ? Then you will help me. 

Brooke. Well ! I'm anything you please in this in- 
fernal country. I'm really an American — my name is 
Brooke, Raleigh Brooke. 

Sylvia. Father Brooke, and can you help me? I've 
lost my way. 

Brooke. Your way ? Why, what can your way be in 
times like these and in this country too ? 

Sylvia. I was on the train from Barcelona. We were 
captured, I escaped. 

Brooke. Just my case to a T. I've been captured and 
escaped too, and am making a bolt for a place of safety. 
Whew ! Well, this does beat my grandmother. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 33 

SvivViA. And can you help me? Oh for the love of 
. Heaven ! 

Brookfc. Ah now — come — none of that. Do you take 
me for a savage, that you must pray to me for mercy ? 

Syi^via. Oh, I'm in distress. Will you help me ? 

Brooke. Help you ! That I will, and with the last drop 
of my heart's blood. There, is that strong enough ? 

Syia'IA. Oh Father, oh thank Heaven, {cries) 

Brooke, [aside) Poor child, she is in sore distress, {to 
Sylvia) Tell me, would you rather be here or in the hands 
of the Carlists ? 

SvLViA. Here, oh here. 

Brooke. Well ! We'll have to be very cautious, or we'll 
be captured again. 

SyIvVIA. I will do whatever you say. 

Brooke, {meditating) I wish you had a dress a little less 
marked than that of an English lady — you see these Car- 
lists would hold you for ransom. Now if you could pass 
for a peasant woman or a — a — whew ! I have an idea. 

S VI. VI A. What. 

Brooke. What do you say to disguising yourself as a 
priest ? 

SyIvVIA. a priest ! Why where could I get a dress? 

Brooke. Take this one, the one I wear. 

SyIvVIA. Why Father, what would you do ? 

Brooke. I'm not a priest. I'm wearing this as a dis- 
guise. You may have the dress, breviary, and all, a free gift. 
Especially the breviary. 

Sylvia. But that might expose you to danger — and — 

Brooke. Oh that's nothing, I'm used to danger. 

Sylvia. But if — if I'm a burden I — I can go on alone. 

Brooke. Now madam, I'm going to save you, and you 
are to do as I say. I know this country, you don't. Spain 
is swarming with these Carlists and rebels. There is no 
such thing as law. Why, whatever could you do alone ? 
You can't speak Spanish. Now I've made you a fair offer, 
will you accept it ? 

Sylvia. If you really thin'ic it will not endanger your 
own safety I'll be very glad indeed and only too much 
obliged. 



34 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

Brooke, {taking off robe^ I've been wearing this over 
my usual suit and you can do the same. There, you can 
slip it on easy as a wink. 

Sylvia takes robe, puts on. 

Brooke. There, you can have the hat {gives hat) and the 
breviary, {gives it) There's mighty fine reading in that 
book, but I'm sorry to say I couldn't find it. {takes cap out 
of pocket, puts it on) I dare say you can do justice to it. 

Syi^via. It is just the right size for me. 

Brooke. You can have the — no — I won't let you have 
the spectacles, {aside) Fancy putting spectacles on the Angel 
Gabriel. 

Syi^via. Now, how do I look ? ' 

Brooke. Look? Oh! Oh very well — very well indeed. 

Sylvia. Do I look well ? 

Brooke. I was on the point of saying something about 
a vision of angels, but I'll be commonplace. 

Sylvia. But do I look like a priest ? 

Brooke. If I were to meet such a priest in real life, I'd 
go down on my knees and confess — no — I wouldn't. I'd 
become a priest myself. If he were a monk, I'd join the 
same monastery. If he were a missionary and cannibals ate 
him, I'd make them eat me too. In any event, I'd feel 
nearer Heaven in such company than anywhere else 

Sylvia, {smiling) Oh Mr. Brooke ! 

Brooke. And now, what is your name ? 

Sylvia. Talbot, Sylvia Talbot. 

Brooke. Mrs. Talbot ? 

Sylvia. No, Miss Talbot. 

Brooke, {aside) Miss— eh ! {to Sylvia) Well it won't 
do for me to call you Miss. If we were overheard, some 
one might take the hint, so I had better call you just Talbot. 

Sylvia. That's a good idea, by all means call me Talbot. 

Brooke. Talbot? 

Sylvia, {smiling) Yes, Mr. Brooke. 

Brooke. Call me Brooke, I'd like it better. 

Sylvia, {smiles) Well Brooke ! 

Brooke. What are you doing in Spain. Talbot? 

Sylvia. I — I came — came to be married, {embarrassed) 

Brooke, {astonished) To~to— be married. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 35 

Syi^via. Yes, to Mr. Rivers, Harry Rivers. We were to 
have been married to-day at Bayonne. 

Brooke. Well ! This does beat my greatgrandmother ! 
Why I was to be married at Bayonne to-day to a Miss Gar- 
cia, Dolores Garcia. I came from America to marry her. 

Syi,via. Poor Harry ! {aside) He must be broken hearted . 

Brooke, {sighs) Poor Dolores! {aside) She must be 
broken hearted . 

Voices heard off'. 

Sylvia, {startled) Some one is coming down the road. 

Brooke, {looking off) Two women, we need not mind 
them at all. 

Rita, {off) Now willa you comma long me ? {enter) 

RussELi,. {off) I — I ki — ki — can't — I {enter very slowly) 
I'm hungry, I'm starved. 

Rita, {catching hold of R.) Comma long. 

RussEi^l.. I'm weak, I'm old, I'm tired. 

Brooke, {to Sylvia) We'd better go on. {exit) 

Rita. I taka you place restar you old bone. 

RUSSELI,. I'm hungry, starving hungry ! {sits on log) 

Rita. You wanta fly ? 

Russell, {groans) I — I — can't — 

Rita. Do you intendar keep your promeese ? 

Russell. Promise ! What promise ? 

Rita. To marry me. 

Russell. Marry you? I — I never said that, {rises) 

Rita, {furiously) You deed, you deed. 

Russell, {frightened) I never did. I — I — I have a wife 
already, {aside) Oh Lord !! 

Rita. Aha ! You thinka foola me? Eh ! Simple. I know 
— I know how take care the number one. 

Russell, {aside) If I could only get away from her. 

Rita, {pinches him) How you lika that, Mistaire ? Ugh ! 

Russell, {aside) She's a fiend. 

Rita, {looking off) Oh, soldiers, {frightened) We cap- 
tura. Fly ! Fly ! 

Russell. I'm hungry ! I'm — I'm hungry ! 

Rita, {pulls him) Comma long. Queek ! Queek ! 

Voices off. 

Russell. I — I can't, I'm faint, {sinks down oti log) 



36 OUR RTAL MAJESTY. 

Enter Lopez, Brooke, Sylvia and soldiers. 

Lopez, {to Rita) Who are you ? 

Rita. Oh, Sen or, I'm a poor woman. 

RUSSEI.!.. Oh Lord ! It's Lopez ! A duel ! 

l^ov^z. {to Russell) Who are you? 

Russell. Eh ! B— a — a — ah. 

Rita, {nudging R.) Thees lady es a foreigner. 

Lopez. What are you doing here ? 

Rita. We fugitives. 

Lopez. Fugitives from whom ? 

Rita. The Carlists.'< 

Lopez, {excited) Carlists, Carlists, where are they? 

Rita. In the castelo. 

Lopez. Castle ! Where ? Tell me where. 

Rita. There, ( points) to the north. 

Lopez. Were there other prisoners ? 

Rita. Yes, foreigners. 

Russell, {aside) Whatever will happen to me if he 
should recognize me. 

Lopez. Was there a lady there? An English lady, fair 
and beautiful ? 

Russell, {aside) He means Katie. The puppy. He*s 
in love with her. 

Rita. Yes Senor, young and lovela. 

Lopez, {aside) It's Katie, {to Rita) This information is 
your best passport , more, it's worth much to me. I'll re- 
ward you. 

Rita. Oh noble captain, the only reward I want is,letta 
us go, letta us go, noble Senor. 

Lopez. Let you go ! That's out of the question. You 
know all about this castle, you must be my guide back to it. 
I shall send for more men and by this time to-morrow that 
castle will be in my own hands. 

Russell, {aside) Next thing he'll have me in his hands, 
I'm in the devil of a scrape, 

Lopez, {to Rita) If you will only help me I'll do any- 
thing in the world for you. You are the very woman for 
me. 

Rita, {aside) He more young than thisa one. I catcha 
one sure. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 37 

Lopez. If you help me in a loyal way, you will rejoice 
all your life that you met Hernando Lopez. I'm the man 
for you. 

Rrr\. {(7 sicfe) Headmirame. {delighted) Oh ! Senor. I 
helpa you. I do all — you keep your promees to Rita, {aside) 
He young — lovela. 

Lopez, {looks at Russell) Who is your friend? 

Rita, {standing before Russell) She — she — oh she is — a 
— a — a great lady, a countess, Senor. 

Lopez lifts cap to Russell. 

Russell, {aside) He don't recognize me. {to Lopez) I'm 
hungry, damn hungry, 

Lopez, {astonished) What ! What did she say ? 

Rita, {nudging R.) Hun — ga — ry. Hungarian dame. 

Lopez. Oh ! Hungarian countess, oh ! 

Brooke, {to Lopez) Senor Captain, why are we detained ? 

Russell, {aside) I must cut a pretty figure. Hungarian 
countess! I. feel like an ass. 

Lopez. I detain )'OU merely lor a purpose in connection 
with the sacred office of your friend, the young priest. 

Sylvia, {to Brooke) A purpose in connection with my 
sacred office ? {frightened) What can he mean ? 

Brooke, {to Sylvia) Don't be frightened. 

Lopez. Come, we must move along. 

Sylvia, {to Brooke) But what am I to do ? 

Brooke. I think they're going to attack the castle. 
Some will be killed — and — 

Lopez. Come, move on. 

Brooke, {to Sylvia) They may want you to read the 
burial service. 

Sylvia. Oh my God ! 

Rita, {to Russell) Comma, comma me queek. 

Lopez, {to Rita) You come with me to show the way. 

Russell, {in consternation) I — I— can't move. Oh ! 

Lopez. What's the matter? 

R iTA. She — she —old — gotta — a — rheumatisick. She 
weak. 

Lopez, {compassionately) Poor lady. I'll get two men 
to carry her. {speaks to men who try to pick R. up) 

Russell, {frightened) What are you doing ! What in— 



38 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

{struggling) Put me down, {kicks, skirt comes off) Ovf-ovf- 
wow. 

LoPKz. Santa Maria!! What's this!! 

RussKLiv. {tries to rim, trips, falls on face) 

Rita. Oh! Oh! Oh! 

SoivDiERS. {excitement) A Carlist ! A spy ! A spy ! 

Lopez. A spy ! Shoot him. 

Russell, {tearing off handkerchief) It's me ! Oh, I'm 
Russell ! Don't shoot ! I'm Russell ! {falls on knees, screams) 
Russell ! Russell ! 

Curtain. 



Second Scene of Fourth Act. 

Scene — Same as Act 3d. Mrs. R., Katie and Dolores dis- 
covered. Enter O 'Toole. 

O'Toole. Good morrinin ladies. Faix it's meself as has 
found the ghost. 

Mrs. R. The— oh— the ghost. 

O'ToOLE. Begorra, it's the thruth I'm tellin'. Do ye 
know his name? {looks at Dolores) 

Mrs. R. {gasping) John — Jo — h — n. 

O'TooLE. I'll tell ye. It's Ashby. I put him in the room 
above. 

Dolores, {aside) Senor Ashby. Oh, oh ! 

Mrs. R. {surprised) Ashby ? Mr. Ashby ? Why how 
could he get here ? 

O'ToOLE. Well he got here, and sure it's meself as 'ill 
find out how. But there's two av thim. 

All. Two of them ! 

O'TooLE. An' the other is that blade av a Rivers; he was 
below an' bejabbers I found him in Ashby 's room this mor- 
rinin'. 

Katie, {aside) Oh, poor Harry. 

O'ToOLE. Shure, Ashby and Rivers won't be afther com- 
in' here agin. They're under gyard. 

Katie. Oh, Your Majesty — where — where — is — is he ? 

Dolores. Walter under guard, {sobs) 

O'ToOLE. An now ladies, after the evints of last night I 
doesint consider this room safe for ye. It's a matin' place 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 30 

for min an' angels, ghosts an hobgoblins, an' there ye have 
it. 

Katie, {aside, oying) I can't see Harry any more. 

Dolores, {aside) I won't see Walter any more, {zveeps) 

O'TooLE. {to Katie) There, there, {pats her) don't cry 
me darlint. 

Mrs. R. {aside) What a good heart he has. 

O'ToOLE. Shure ye're forgittin' all about the crown an' 
glory fer a bit av a bye. 

Katie, {sobbing) Oh, go away. G — g — go away. 
O'TooLE. Remimber, there's all the splindor av the 
Spanish throne to be had wid the winkav wan av yer lovely 
eyes. 

Katie. Oh, go away, {slaps him) 
Voices off, covimotion inside . 

Mrs. R. What's that? Listen! 

O'TooLE. {startled) It's an insurrection av the populace, 
so it is. 

Cries aiid explosions outside. 

Mrs. R. {flings arms about O'T.) Oh Your Majesty, 
don't leave me — oh don't. 

Voices, {off) Hurrah for the Republic. 

O'TooLE. {frightened, struggles with Mrs. R.) Be off 
wid ye ! It's the inemy ! We're captured ! We'll be ixe- 
cuted !! 

Mrs. R. {clinging to him) Oh save me? 

O'Tqo^.^. {throws Mrs. R. off) We're lost! Is there 
any way out ? {to Dolores') Ye know the way he came, 
Ashby. 

Dolores, {runs to fire-place) It's here, {runs otit) 

Shrieks, cries, off. 

O'TooLE. Meself neve r knowed it or suspected it. {fol- 
lows Dolores) 

Mrs. R. {catches his coat-tails) Oh take me with you, 
oh ! {screams, exit both) 

Explosions off. Katie tries to run, falls on k^iees, covers 
her J ace. 

Voices. Long live the Republic, {explosions) Down 
with the Carlists. 

Enter Lopez and soldiers. 



40 , OUR RTAL MAJESTY. 

Lopez, Wh^r^isshQl {sees Katie, rushes to hei") Katie, 
Miss Westolorn. 

Katie, {looking iip) Why Captain Lopez ! 

Lopez, {takes her hand, assists her to rise) Katie ! 

Katie. Why, I never was so surprised in all my life. 

Lopez. Oh, Katie ! Are you glad to see me ? \. motions 
soldiers out) 

Katie. Why of course I am ! 

Lopez. I have come to rescue you from these villains. 
I've risked my life for your sake, and now Katie, my darling, 
you will marry me ? 

Katie, {shrinking away) Captain Lopez — I— I — 

Lopez. I love you — you know I love you — I — 

Katie. Captain Lopez, I can't listen to that — don't — oh 
don't. 

Lopez. From the first moment I saw you I loved you, 
and believed I had reason to hope. 

Katie, {coldly) I assure you, Senor, I don't see how you 
could have found reason to hope. 

Lopez, {aside) She loves that cursed Ashby. I'll force 
her to marry me. {to Katie) You are aware that when I 
captured this castle there were prisoners ? 

Katie. I suppose so, Senor. 

Lopez, {sneeringly) Among them was your dear friend. 

Katie. My dear friend? 

Lopez. By your dear friend I mean that English donkey 
Ashby. 

Katie. Ashby, oh ! {aside) I had forgotten allabouthim. 

Lopez, {coldly) He was arrested as a spy. 

Katie. Why, Mr. Ashby can't be a spy. 

Lopez. In times like these no mercy is shown to spies. 
They are shot. 

Katie. Still I don't see how you can make Mr. Ashby 
out a spy. 

Lopez, {aside) That don't seem to have much effect on 
her. {to Katie) I dare say he is a spy. He will be shot. 

Katie. Poor Mr. Ashby. It's very — very sad. 

Lopez, {aside) She can't be very much in love. She 
shall be my wife. I'll find a way to make her. 

Katie. There is a Mr. Rivers there. Where is he ? 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 41 

TvOPEZ. Rivers ? 

Katie. Yes, Harry Rivers, 

Lopez. Yes, I believe there is such a person here. 

KxTi E. {eao^er/j') Can I see him? Oh Captain Lopez, 
let me see him ? 

Lopez, {aside) Aha ! So that's it, eh ! {to Katie') So you 
would like to see Mr. Rivers ? 

Katie. Yes — oh yes^-ohmay I see him ? 

Lopez, {aside) I'll try another tack, {to Katie) Mr. 
Rivers has been arrested as a spy. 

Katie, Harry a spy ! Oh Harry ' Oh, Harry arrested ! 
{sobs) 

Lopez, {aside) She must be mine. 

Katie. Oh, Captain Lopez, he's not a — a spy, you can't 
mean it. 

Lopez. You seem to value the life of this Rivers. 

Katie, {bewildered) Life ! His life ? 

Lopez. He is condemned, and in an hour all will be 
over. 

Katie. An hour, oh ! {falls on knees) Harry ! Oh 
Harry, Harry ! 

Lopez. This is awful, {aside) but I can't give her up. 

Katie. Oh Captain Lopez, is there — no — hope ? 

Lopez, {coldly) None, {helps her up) 

Katie. You are commander here ? 

Lopez. Yes. 

Katie. Can you do nothing ? 

Lopez. The trial is over. 

Katie. Oh, something must be done. He shall not die. 
Oh, he must be saved. 

Lopez, {aside) Now for it. 

Katie. Oh Captain Lopez, can you not let him go ? 

Lopez. Yes, I could do that, I could let him escape. 

Katie. Oh Captain Lopez, let him fly. Oh for my sake. 
{drops to her knees) Oh I pray on my knees, let him go. 

Lopez. And I — may— I — may I ask something from you 
if I save his life ? 

Katie. Oh anything ! Save him ! Oh save him ! 

Lope;^. {helpinj her to rise) If you will marry me now 
I'll let him go. 



42 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

Katie. Oh! Oh! 

Lopez. Quick ! There's no time to lose, will you con- 
sent ? 

Katie. Oh my God ! Oh-h-h-h. Yes. {falls to her 
knees) Yes !! 

E flier Rita quickly. 

Lopez, {to Rita) Take her in the other room. 

Enter Brooke and Sylvia. Rita leads Katie off. 

Lopez, {to Brooke) I will now tell you why I have re- 
quired the services of your friend. It is for a very pleasing 
and simple ceremony — namely a marriage. 

Brooke. A marriage ? 

Syi^via. (^jzi/^) Oh merciful Heaven ! 

LopEz. I will leave you now. The ceremony will take 
place in a few moments. 

Syi^via. What can I do ? 

Brooke. You'll have to do as he says. 

Syi^via. What, marry them ? 

Brooke. Why not ? 

Syi^via. It's impossible. 

Brooke. Great Heavens ! What will become of us ? 
Confound these Spaniards. Come Talbot, why not marry 
the couple of cursed fools and have done with it ? 

Syi^via. It would be a frightful sin — a sacrilege. 

Brooke. But think what a marriage is. A union of two 
loving hearts. In Scotland people marry themselves. 

Syi^via. But this is not Scotland. I'll tell him the truth. 

Brooke. Oh Talbot, if you do what will become of you? 
Can't you see that this Spaniard is a villain, a demon ? 

Syi^via. {sadly) I know, {sighs) I know. 

Brooke. He'll kill us both, {groans) 

Syi^via. Why should he kill us ? I've only td tell him that 
I'm not a priest, but an English lady. 

Brooke. It's too late — too late. Oh fool^that I was. 
Cursed, cursed fool. 

Syi^via. Why Brooke ! What do you mean ? 

Brooke. I was afraid to trust these wretches. I was 
afraid they might harm you if they knew you were a woman. 
That's why I kept the secret. 

Syi^via. I'll tell him all. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY.. 43 

Brooke. Don't do it — oli don't do it ! It's too late now. 
This Spaniard has a furious temper. You saw how he con- 
ducted himself in camp last night. As a priest you have 
won his confidence, his reverence. To tell him the truth 
now, would anger him so he'd — shoot us both as spies. 

Sylvia. But what can I do, Brooke ? 

Brooke, {groatis) Marry them. 

Sylvia. Oh Brooke, for your sake I'd do anything, if it 
was only myself that was concerned. Ask me to suffer for 
you— ask me to die for you, I'll die willingly. 

Brooke. Oh Talbot, Talbot, you'll break my heart. 

Sylvia. Don't ask me to do this, Brooke. It would be 
worse than death. 

Etiter Lopez, Ashby, Rivers and soldiers, 

Lopez. \to all) Senors, I have done myself the honor to 
invite you to be present at the happiest moment of my life. 

Rivers, {to Ashby) What does he mean ? 

Brooke, {to Sylvia) What will you do ? 

Sylvia. Nothing. 

I/OPEZ. I am to be united in marriage to one I have long 
loved, and whom I have at last won by rescuing her from a 
great peril . 

Enter Katie leaning on Rita. ^ 

Rivers, {excitedly) Is this— is this the lady? 

Lopez, {taking Katie's hand) This is the lady — my chosen 
bride. 

Katie looks appealingly at R. 

Rivers. Sir, Sir ! {springs at Lopez) Do you dare — 

Soldiers interfere, Katie and Rita scream. 

Lopez, {to soldiers) Don't hurt the lunatic. Tie his 
hands behind him. {soldiers tie with handkerchiefs) 

Katie, {throws arms about H.) Oh, Harry ! Harry ! 

Lopez, {dragging Katie away) Keep calm ! His life 
depends on you. 

Rita, {aside) Me putta no faith in men and sojers, 
more. 

Katie. Oh Harry ! 

Lopez. Keep calm, I tell you. The ceremony will go 
on. This fool's play shall not stop it. 

Ashby. Senor, what does this mean ? 



44 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

Lopez. Hold your infernal tongue, {to Sylvia) Let the 
ceremony begin, {takes Katie's hand) 

Brooke. The priest cannot officiate without a govern- 
ment license. 

Lopez, {angrily) Government license? The church 
does not ask permission of the State to perform the solemn 
sacraments. What has the State to do with the acts of a 
priest of the church ? 

Ash BY. It's different in other countries. 

Lopez. Spain — {sternly) Spain is a Christian country. 

Brooke, {sarcastically) Indeed. 

Lopez. In an infidel country like America, or England, 
the State regulates marriage, but it's different in Spain. 
Very different. 

Brooke. This is an English priest. He does not speak 
Spanish. 

Lopez. He has the language of the church, and that 
language every priest uses in the formulas and services, 
whether he is a Spaniard, an Englishman, or an African 
negro. Now Senor priest, let the ceremony begin at once. 

Sylvia. I refuse. It's a sacrilege. 

Lopez. Do you think I'm to be set at defiance, Sir? Go 
on. {roars) Go on I say. 

Syi^via. {calmly) I refuse to perform the ceremony. The 
lady is unwilling. 

Lopez, {in a fury) You dare to refuse ? 

Brooke. Talbot, oh Talbot. 

Lopez. You must obey me. 

Sylvia, {calmly) I will not risk my soul by such an act. 

Lopez. A curse on your soul ! 

Brooke, {to Lopez) Look out for your own soul. 

Lopez, {to -men) Gag that devil. 

Rivers. Oh for God's sake, Captain Lopez. 

Soldiers struggle with Brooke. 

ASHBY. Oh this is horrible ! Horrible ! 

Lopez. Damn you, shut up. {to Sylvia) I'll give you 
two minutes. Will you go on ? 

Sylvia. No Senor, {dashes breviary to the floor) never! 

Lopez, {snatching rifle) Sir ! 

Brooke. Let me say one word ? 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 45 

Lopez. Not one, silence Sir. 

Ash BY. {shrieks at him) Captain Lopez ! 

Rivers. Listen? 

Brooke. She is — not a — 

Lopez, {to Sylvia) Will you obey ? 

Sylvia. Never !! 

Cries off. Lopez takes aim at Sylvia. Brooke breaks azaay 
from soldiers, leaps before Sylvia, gun discharged. Brooke 
aud Sylvia fall, Katie faints, Rita screams and falls on her 
knees. 

Voices, {off) Vive el Rey ! Vive el Rey ! {shouts^ ex- 
plosions tHc, off. Consternatio7i of Lopez) 

Sylvia, {struggling to her feet) Oh, is he dead ? Oh 
my darling, speak to me ! [falls on her knees beside him) 

Lopez. The Carlists ! Listen ! 

Voices. Vive el Rey ! No quarter ! 

Soldiers. We are betrayed. Fly ! 

Lopez. Treason ! Fly ! Treason !! 

Rita. Madre de Dios ! 

{shouts) Down with the Republicans ! Vive el Rey ! 

Panic inside. Enter Carlists, capture Lopez. 

O'TooLE-C^?^) Down wid thim {entering, flourishing 
sword) Raypublicans. {stops, looks about) Howley Mowses!! 
This bates the worruld. 

Picture. 

Katie on floor, Rita praying, Brooke on floor, Sylvia and 
Ashby 071 knees beside Brooke, Rivers'^ hands tied behind, 
Carlists and Republicatis struggling, back, O' Toole aston- 
ished. 

Curtain. 



FIFTH ACT. 

Scene — The court-yard of castle. Moorish architecture, 
towers and arches, palms in boxes, stone benches. Russell 
(C) on knees, bound hand and foot, Rita hitting him with 
end of rope, 

Russell. Help ! Murder ! Help ! 

Rita. Hah ! Base traidor, I haffa you now — It is so — 
now leest to me ! Look at me ! What hale I done ? I 



46 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

hafe betray my maestro — I hafe betray my friends — I show 
the Republicanos the way — thees castelo was took — my 
friends, many of them are deed — their bodies are over there 
— they're deed, {strikes R.) Who killathem? I — I the 
traidor — I, the Judas, I betray. And why ? I betray because 
you tempta me, you ! You tempta me — you ask me helpa 
you — you promees take cara me. Who tempta me ? You ! 
You ! Yoli ! ! 

RussEivL. She'll kill me, she's a fiend. Ow — wow — ow-^ 

R IT A. You not scapar Rita . 

RussKivi/. Ow — ow — wow — oh she'll kill me. 

Rita. I hafe helpa you — I hafe maka me a traidor — it 
hafe come to theese. 

RusSKiviv. What will become of me ? 

Rita, {hits him) You thinka I letta you turn false me ? 
I hafe the venganza. 

RusSEi^i*. Oh — oh — ow — I will be murdered. 

Rita, My friends — dey sail haunt me — their ghosts — 
they sail call for the venganza — I hafe made me a traidor to 
my friends what lofe me and was kind, {hits him) 

Russei<i,. Oh Lord ! Oh don't. 

Rita. You hafe promeese me all the world — you hafe 
promeese be my man. {hits him) You sai,i, be my man. 

RusSEi<i.. I— can't — I — I— a— can't. 

Rita. You promeese marry Rita. 

RussEr<i.. Marry you ! I — I never said I'd marry you — 
ow — 

Rita. You said you be my man. 

RussEi.1.. Ow— wow— oh — oh — 

R ITA. You not fly me ? Verra well, you sail stay where 
the Captain leave you. I sail tell the chief all. He sail de- 
cidar. You ole bone get one long restar. 

Russell. Ow— oh — oh— wow. 

O'TooLE. {enters) Begorra ! It's that same tailor Rus- 
sell, {aside) Shure, I wonder if he brought back thim bonds. 

Russell. Oh ! Your Royal Majesty. 

O'TooLE. An' so ye were havin' a elopement match. 

Rita. He promeese marry me. 

Russell. Oh Your Majesty, help me. 

O'TooLE. {ctUs bonds) Ye're a foine feller ! 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 47 

Russell. I'm — I — I'm hungry. 

O'TooLE. Hmigry is it ? An' ye run off wid the cook. 

Rita, {to Russell) You notscaper me, ole man. {hits hint) 

Russell. {Jumps to O^T.) Oh Your Majesty, (aside) I'm 
black and blue. 

O'TooLE. {pinching R, luho jumps back to Rita) An' so 
ye were runnin' away wid Rita. 

Rita. You sail marry me. 

O'TooLE. Begorra ! There's a praste here as cud marry ye. 

Russell. Marry ! Marry ! 

O'TooLE. Shure, an' ye promised to do that same. 

Russell. I — I have a wife — al — already. 

O'TooLE. Well, Rita's willin' to take the risk, an' so ye 
can just march along now. 

Rita, {pulls his ear) Aha ! Now ! Mistaire. 

Russell. I — I — I'm — si — sick. 

O'TooLE. Come along wid me, I say. 

Russell, [knees knocking) Oh Your Majesty, she's — 
she's a — a demon. 

O'TooLE, Shure, an' it's raeself as ought to be a stringin' 
ye up for high traison to Our R'yal Majesty, but thin I'd be 
losin' the ransom, so faix, I'll turn ye over to Rita, 

Russell. I'm- -I — I'm hungry. I'm ki — ki — cold. 

O'TooLE. Cowld is it. Shure thin Rita'U make it war- 
rum fer ye, 

Rita, {to O' T.) I putta on fly bleester. 

Russell groans. 

O'TooLE. Come along now. Shure, an' I can't be fool- 
in' wid ye all day. 

O' T. and Rita drag" R. off. Enter {C) Brooke, arm in 
slings and Sylvia without priest dress, 

Brooke. You are yourself again Talbot — ah — Miss Tal- 
bot, as you were when I first met you. 

Sylvia. Brooke, Mr. Brooke. We have been acquainted 
only a short time, but if I were to count all the friends of 
my life, I could not find one like you. No, not one ! You 
willingly risked your life for me. Oh Brooke, I thought 
you were — were dead. 

Brooke. Well I wasn't. I wish I was. {sits dowti on 
bench, face in hands) 



48 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

Syi^via.. Why Brooke, don't you think these Carlists 
might be bribed to let us escape ? 

Brooke. 1 don't want to escape. 

SYI.VIA. What? 

Brooke. You'll go back to your friends and we'll never 
meet again. 

Syi^via. Never meet again ! You do not mean to say 
you'll never come to see me ? 

Brooke. Come to see you! I'll come of course, and 
leave my card. Perhaps you'll not be at home, or perhaps 
I'll be asked to call again, {si^hs) 

Sylvia. Oh Brooke ! {sighs) 

Brooke. I don't want to escape as long as I can look up 
and see you. I want nothing else in the world. When I can 
see you no more, what will life be worth, with all its sun- 
shine and sweetness and joy past and gone forever. Life — 
why Talbot, I never began to know what life could be 'till 
I saw you. 

Syi^via. Oh Brooke, why did we not meet before. How 
strangely we have drifted together. Is Fate so bitter as to 
make us drift apart alter — after — {sits on other end of bench, 
Patcse.) 

Brooke, {takes out cigars, offers one) Oh — you — you 
don't smoke. I — I wouldn't advise you to — to begin. 
{SingSy tune Yankee Doodle) 

Ad urbem ivitdoodlus cum, 

Caballo et calone, 
Ornivit pluma pileum 

Bt dixit Maccaroni. 

Excuse me, you — you don't understand dog Latin, do you 
Talbot ? 

SyIvVIA. No, but I understand^you, Brooke, {sighs) 

Brooke. I'm miserable. (^?^/zi) 

SyIvVIA. Does your arm pain lyou ? 

Brooke. It's not my arm. {sighs. Softly) Talbot. 

Sylvia. Yes, Brooke. 

Brooke. Will you be silent if I say something ? 

Sylvia. Yes, Brooke. 

Brooke. Notsayaword? 

Sylvia. No, Brooke. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 49 

Brooke. Not move an inch ? 

Sylvia. No, Brooke. 

Brooke. Well, {lo7tg sigh) I — I think I won't say it. 
{sighs) 

Sylvia. Oh, Brooke. 

Brooke, {pause) Talbot ? 

Sylvia. Well ? 

Brooke. Oh Talbot — Talbot, do you know what I want 
to say ? 

Sylvia, {sadly) Yes — yes— I know it all. {sighs) 

Brooke. You love me Talbot and — 

Sylvia. Yes — but Mr. Rivers. 

Brooke. Hang Mr. Rivers. 

Sylvia. But you — you are promised to another. 

Brooke, {aside) Dolores ! I had torgotten all about her. 
{sighs) 

Sylvia, {aside) Heaven help me. 

Enter slowly {R) Dolores and Ashby. Enter sloivly {L) 
Katie and Rivers. Brooke recognizes Dolores, etc., etc.) 

Brooke, {startifig up) Dolores ! {goes to her) 

Dolores. Raleigh Brooke ! 

Sylvia, {starting tip) Harry ! {aside) He's come for me . 

Rivers. Sylvia ! {goes to her) 

Ashby. Katie ! {goes to her) 

Katie. Mr. Ashby ! {hangs her head) 

Positions — Katie, Ashby; Dolores, Brooke; Sylvia, 
Rivers, all embarrassed. 

Brooke, {to Dolores) This is — is — an unexpected— a — 
a — pleasure. 

Dolores. It — it — is — indeed. 

Sylvia, {to Rivers) I — I hope you are well. 

Rivers. Ah, yes — ah, very well. 

Ashby. {to Katie) Fine day. 

Katie. Yes — oh — very, {sighs) 

Brooke . {to Dolores) I — did — didn't — know you were 
here, {sighs) 

Dolores, {aside) He's true to me. 

Rivers, {to Sylvia) Sylvia, how came you here ? 

Sylvia. A bitter — bitter fortune brought me here. 

Rivers, {aside) She reproaches me. {sighs) 



50 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

Katie, {aside) Mr. Ashby loves me and I am false. 
{sighs) 

Brooke, {aside) Dolores is faithful, I'm a wretch. 

DoTvORES. {aside) Mr. Ashby will go back to the English 
maid, {iveeps) 

Sylvia, {aside) Mr. Brooke will marry that Spanish 
girl, {weeps ^ 

Katie, {aside) That's the girl Harry's engaged to. I'd 
like to tear her eyes out. {weeps) 

Rivers, {aside) I suppose I'll have to keep my promise 
to Svlvia, {sighs) 

Ashby. {aside) 1 will have to keep my promise to Katie. 
{sighs) 

Brooke, {aside) I'll be a beast if I don't keep my prom- 
ise to Dolores. 

Ashby. {to Katie) Katie, Katie, {tries to take her hand) 

Katie. Oh don't, I can't bear it. {runs away^ throivs 
herself on bench, sobs) Oh Harry, Harry ! 

Rivers, {runs to Katie) There — oh — my darling Katie. 
{arms about Katie) 

Ashby. {aside) Well ? {to Dolores) It's all right ? {arms 
about Dolores) Oh, my darling Dolores. 

Sylvia, {aside) And that's the man I came to Spain to 
marry ! 

Brooke, {aside) And that's the woman I came to Spain 
to marry ! 

Sylvia, {suddenly) I'm free ! 

Brooke, {suddenly) I'm free ! 

Sylvia. Brooke ! 

Brooke. Talbot ! {embrace) 

Enter Mrs. R. with a bound. Officer'' s cap on her head. 

Mrs. R. {amazed at lovers) Well ! Goodness, gracious 
me ! I never ! Did I ever ? No, never !! 

Katie, {rims to Mrs. R.) Oh Auntie, Auntie, {kisses her) 

Mrs. R. There — there child, how impetuous you are. 

Katie. Oh, Auntie. 

Mrs. R. Katie ! Try to be a little less boisterous, and — 
and respect the Majesty of Spain. 

Katie, {horrified) Oh Auntie you — you — haven't — gone 
and done it. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 51 

Mrs. R. No, not yet. 

Katie. Where did you get that hat ? 

Mrs. R. His Majesty gave it to us. It's his royal will 
that we shall wear it. Does it become Our Majesty. 

All laugh heartily. Mrs. R. offended. 

Katie. Oh*Auntie, how can you ? 

Mrs. R. very haughty, enter O'T. 

O'TooLK. It's a divil av a toime we've been havin' wid 

thim Raypublican fellers, so it is, an' if that Cap'n IvOpez 

hadn't a been accommodatin' and stringed hisself up, shure 

, to glory Our R'yal Majesty wud a done that same for him. 

Mrs. R. {to O'T., throwing arms about him) Oh my own 
noble brave one. Your Majesty saved our lives. 

O'TooLE. {aside) Saved the ransoms. 

Mrs. R. Oh, I was so frightened. 

Katie. It was awful, awful ! 

Dolores. I thought I'd die of fright ! 

Sylvia. Oh, terrible, terrible ! 

O'ToOLE. Shure, ye all nade a dhrap of somethin' vfSir- 
xvlvo.. {takes bottle from pocket, offers it, all refuse) Shure, 
it's whiskey, so it is. {takes a drink, offers Mrs. R.) 

Mrs. R. Oh — oh — I — I thank Your Majesty. 

O'ToOLE. Perhaps it's a tumbler ye're wantin'. We 
hivin't wan, but if ye'll taste from the bottle, it's moighty 
foine ye '11 find it. {tries to get Mrs. R. to drink.) 

Mrs R. I don't th — think I care — for it. 

ASHBY. I suppose we may consider ourselves your prison- 
ers again. 

O'TooLE. Divil a doubt av that same. Shure, I'll have 
ye all under lock an' kay. 

Mrs. R. Oh, Your Majesty holds us by stronger bonds 
than bolts and bars. 

O'TooLE. Bejabbers, that's nate, that's illegint. We 
hope all av the ladies jine in that sintemint. 

ASHBY. You spoke of a ransom and said that on pay- 
ment of the sum I might have my liberty. 

O'TooLE. I did that. 

AsHBY. It's a very large sum. 

O'ToOLE. Will, ye all showed pluck, ivery man Jack av 
yez, includin' the ladies. We'll consider that in our trate- 



52 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

mint wid the ransom. We'll deduct five per cint. It's our 
r'yal natcliure to be magnanymous. 

AsHBY. I'll promise to have it inside a week, provided 
you send this lady {Dolores) safely to Madrid. 

O'Toor^E. I'll be losin' the senorita entoirely. 

ASHBY. She can procure the money. Until then, I re- 
main your prisoner. 

O'Tooi^E. Well, that's fair. 

ASHBY. Will you do it ? 

O'Tooi^E. Begorra, I will. 

Rivers. Will you allow me to procure mine in the same 
way ? Will you let this {Katie) lady go too ? 

Katie. But I won't go. 

Rivers, {to K.) Oh think for my sake — to save my life. 

Katie. But I can't go alone. 

Rivers. You can go with this lady or with your aunt. 

Mrs. R. Oh, she can't go with me. Nothing would in- 
duce me to leave His Majesty. 

Katie. I'm afraid I should never see you again, and it's 
very cruel of you. {lays head on H^s shoulder) 

O'Tooi^E. {to Rivers) Arrah ye rogue, ye've deluded that 
poor gyrrul, intoirely. 

Rivers. Sir ! What? 

O'Tooi^E. She's yours out an' out, an' shure it's dead 
bate an' heart-broke intoirely I'd be if it warn't fer the widdy 
here, {takes drink) 

Rivers, {to Katie) Widow ? Why she has a husband. 

Katie. Yes, but she believes he's been killed. 

Rivers. Killed ! The villains ! Poor old Russell. 

O'Tooi^E. The widdy has a heart that's worth its weight 
in gold sovereigns. She is a friend in nade, so she is indade. 

Rivers. How can she bear it ? 

Katie. Why, she wants to be Queen of Spain. Ha-ha ! 
Uncle isn't dead. 

0'Tooi.E. If it wasn't that I had that other noble heart 
to fall back on, I'd be fairly broken-hearted, so I would. 

Mrs. R. Oh, my darling Royal Majesty, {kisses O'T.) 

0'Tooi,E. I'll be like " Tim " in the song, {takes Mrs- 
R's hand, sings, dances boisterously) 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 53 

Oh ! A widdy lived in Limerick town, 

Not far from Shannon water, 
An' Tim kep' coomp'uy wid her. 

A coortin' av Biddy, her darter. 

But Micky McGan, he cut in between 

An' ran away wid Biddy. 
Begorra ! Says Tim, the darter's gone, 

So faix I'll take the widdy. 

The widdy, not Biddy. 

The fond and faithful widdy. 
W hoor — roo r — or — {falls ) 

Mrs. R. {on knees) Oh, my own one, is your sacred per- 
son hurt ? 

O'TooLE. {rises) Divil a bit, but our sacred stomick's 
impty. It's starved we are. Where's Rita, that cook av 
cooks. We'll find her. Come along jool. {exit O^T.and 
Mrs. R.) 

Rivers, {to Katie) Why the woman is mad, utterly mad. 

Voices. Vive el Rey ! Vive el Rey ! 

Katie. What's that noise ? 

Voices. Vive el Rey ! Vive Don Carlos ! 

Katie. I hear horses coming. 

ASHBY. Something has happened ! 

Dolores. It's only the men celebrating their victory. 

Voices. Vive el Rey ! Don Carlos ! Make room for the 
king. 

Enter Don C, priest, soldiers. Ladies scream, cling to 
lovers. 

Don C. Ladies and gentlemen, do not be alarmed. 

Katie, {aside) Who is he, I wonder? 

Don. C. You have met with some misfortune. I shall 
be most happy to be of service to you. 

AsHBY. Sir, we have been held prisoners. 

Brooke. Held for ransom. 

Don C. Held for ransom ! By whom ? 

Rivers. By Don Carlos. 

Don C. Don Carlos ! Why what does this mean. 

AsHBY. Don Carlos is here — 

Don C. Here ! Certainly he is here, I am he. 

All. Don Carlos ! What ! Don Carlos ! 

Don C. Don Carlos, at your service. To-morrow we 



54 OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 

shall resume our march and I shall be happy to do for you 
all in my power. You shall be free. 

O'Tooi^K. {enters hastily) Ah ! Me darlints. its a foine 
dinner our R'yal Majesty will be — The divil ! It's the king 
hisself. {runs) 

Don C. It's that Irishman. It's O'Toole. The villain ! 
Go catch him quick, {exit soldiers) 

RusSEi^i.. {off) Help ! Help ! 

Ai.1,. What's that ? 

RusSEi/i<. Oh mercy ! A fiend has me in her power. 

Don C. What's all that ? 

RussEiyi.. {running on, Rita following) Oh, once I was 
named Russell — but now — my name's — {falls) RiTA — Oh ! 

Rita runs off. 

Rivers. Why ! It's Russell !! 

RusSKLi.. Oh! I'm killed! Killed. Killed. 

Don C. Another victim. O'Toole shall be made to suffer 
for this, the rascal. 

^w^^S,- {helps R. up) You're all right old fellow. She's 
gone. 

RUSSEI/L. Is she g-g-gone ? 

ASHBY. We're all free ! Free ! 

RUSSEI^L. Fif— fif— free ? 

Rivers. Yes, free. 

Don C. Free. You shall all be free to-morrow. 

Katie. It's the king, Uncle. Don Carlos himself. 

RusSEi^iy. Bu— but the other ? 

Katie. Didn't I say he was Paddy. 

Don C. I left O'Toole in command here. He's been do- 
ing a little business on his own account, I suspect. 

RusSEi,i.. And oh my bonds, my bonds ! 

Don C. Bonds ! 

RUSSEI^I.. Spanish bonds, they're gone, {groans) 

ASHBY. No, they're not. This lady found them. 

RusSEivL. Found them ! 

Doi^ORES. Mr. Ashby has them. 

Ash BY. And here they are. 

Don C. Do you know ithat this is the happiest moment 
of my life ? 

Ashby. {embrace Dolores) And mine. 



OUR R'YAL MAJESTY. 55 

Rivers, {embrace Katie) And mine. 

Brooke, {embrace Sylvia) And mine. 

RussELi,. {hugs bonds) And Mine. 

Don C. And now gentlemen, pardon me if I make a sug- 
gestion. You are all looking forward to the time when these 
lovely ladies will sustain the closest possible relation to you. 
Here sits my friend, the Cure of Santa Cruz, and he, let me 
aseure you, can tie the knot so tight that it could not be tied 
tighter by the Holy Father himself, assisted by the Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury. There is a chapel in the castle. Sup- 
pose we say to-morrow morning. 

AsHBY. Glorious ! 

Rivers. By Jove, I'm willmg ! 

Brooke. Hurrah ! So am I. 

Don C. Don't let the ladies escape you, gentlemen. Tell 
them, as that rascal O'Toole would say, "It's our Royal will." 

Mrs. ^.{etiter) Oh where is he? My own one, His 
Majesty ! Oh, where is the hope of Spain ? 

All laugh. 

RUSSELI*. {sees her) Jeu — li — ar-r-r. 

Mrs. R. Is it an — an apparition, {gasps) 

RussEi.1,. {opens arms) Ju — u— lia ! 

Mrs. R. John! Oh John! {faints in arms) 
End. 



"Our R'yal Majesty." 



A DRAMATIZATION BY 

"MARION EDDY" 

(MARIAN F. DELANOY.) 



These books are held as manuscript and must be 
returned. 






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